Sheep and goat meat market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian sheep and goat meat market volume grew from 53 209 tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 64 708 tonnes in 2022, before moderating to 61 356 tonnes in 2023. This expansion was driven by a consistent increase in domestic production, which rose from 32 212 tonnes to 35 020 tonnes, and a significant surge in imports, which jumped from 21 150 tonnes to over 30 000 tonnes during the period.

Market dynamics were shaped by the niche but steady character of the Canadian lamb meat segment. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused global supply chain disruptions, yet market volume continued to rise. In 2022, a sharp increase in imports from Australia and New Zealand, coupled with a decline in exports, contributed to the market's highest volume, although exports remained a minor factor.

Proposed U.S. federal legislation in 2024 regarding meat processing regulations could influence cross-border trade conditions for Canadian sheep and goat meat, adding an external policy dimension to market access.

Production sheep and goat meat in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

Canada's sheep and goat meat production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 33 652 tonnes, marking a modest increase of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest production level was observed in 2018 at 32 212 tonnes, when output dipped by 0.3%. In contrast, 2019 saw the strongest growth, with production climbing by 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sheep and goat meat from Canada

Exports in kind, t

Canada's exports of sheep and goat meat have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country shipped 123 tonnes abroad, representing a decline of 0.9% from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 29.6%, averaging an annual decrease of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon were the primary destinations for Canada's sheep and goat meat exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 48.2% of exports, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 30.8%, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon at 8.8%. Together, these three markets made up 87.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of Canada's sheep and goat meat exports has declined for the second year running. In 2020, export earnings reached 1.0 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate contraction of 6.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values fell by 35.2%, with an average annual decline of 13.5%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 1.8 million US dollars, when exports surged by 16.6%. However, the following year saw the sharpest drop, with export values plummeting by 40.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States dominated Canada's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms, capturing 73.4% of total flows. Other markets played a much smaller role, collectively forming a less significant portion of export earnings.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020

Imports sheep and goat meat to Canada

Imports in kind, t

Canada's imports of sheep and goat meat have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country brought in 23 480 tonnes, up 2.5% from 2019. However, over the broader 2017-2020 timeframe, imports actually decreased by 7.4%, averaging an annual decline of 2.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 21 150 tonnes, when imports fell sharply by 16.6%. The following year, 2019, saw a rebound with imports rising by 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and New Zealand remained the leading sources for Canada's sheep and goat meat imports in volume terms. Together, these two countries supplied 91.8% of total import flows, while other partners contributed only marginally.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Canada's spending on sheep and goat meat imports has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value reached 183.3 million US dollars, showing a slight increase of 1.7% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 2.1%, with an average annual rate of 0.7%. The lowest point was in 2018 at 169.1 million US dollars, when import spending dropped by 5.8%. The following year, 2019, saw the strongest growth, with import values climbing by 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia and New Zealand overwhelmingly dominated Canada's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms, together accounting for 93.7% of total import flows. Other destinations made only minor individual contributions.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020