Sheep and goat meat market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The sheep and goat meat market in Central Asia started at 1 383 thousand tons in 2018 but dipped to 1 319 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 1 336 thousand tons in 2020.

A steady expansion followed from 2021 to 2023, with market volume reaching 1 456 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was supported by a broad increase in regional meat output and rising consumer demand for lamb and goat meat, while competitive shifts in sheep farming with Uzbekistan added further market context.

In 2024, production rose by 5%, aided by state support for meat processing. Exports surged 2.2-fold to 4.6 thousand tons, with Uzbekistan becoming the key destination.

Production sheep and goat meat in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

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

Following two consecutive years of decline, Central Asia's sheep and goat meat production volume has increased. In 2020, the region produced 1 337 K t of sheep and goat meat, marking a modest 1.1% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production fell by 4.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 322 K t, with the steepest decline of 4.6% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, Central Asia's sheep and goat meat production value has risen. In 2020, the output was valued at 7 048 M $ US, representing a moderate 6.7% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 604 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sheep and goat meat from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 3.8-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, Central Asia's sheep and goat meat export volume stood at 1 286 t, reflecting a sharp 61.7% contraction compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 833 t, which also experienced the largest increase of 283.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Central Asia's sheep and goat meat exports in kind were Iran, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. Together, these countries accounted for 87.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Export values peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with an 3.8-fold difference between them. In 2020, Central Asia's sheep and goat meat export value reached 6 782 K $ US, showing a 59.6% year-over-year drop. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 18 980 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 277.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran (60.6% of exports in value terms), Russia (15.0%), and the United Arab Emirates (11.7%) were the largest buyers of sheep and goat meat from Central Asia. Collectively, these three markets represented 87.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes varied dramatically, with a 10-fold difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Central Asia imported 1 231 t of sheep and goat meat, representing a 900.4% year-over-year gain. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 17 t, which also experienced the largest decline of 84.7%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, imports in kind were scattered across various countries. Russia (25.4% of imports in kind), Mongolia (10.7%), and Moldova (4.0%) together accounted for just 40.1% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. Import values peaked in 2020 and bottomed in 2019, with an 8.2-fold gap between them. In 2020, Central Asia's sheep and goat meat import value reached 1 231 K $ US, up by 717.8% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 151 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 75.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, Russia (45.9% of imports in value terms), Mongolia (4.1%), and Moldova (3.0%) remained the main sources for sheep and goat meat imports to Central Asia. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.0% of total import flows.

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

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