Sheep and goat meat market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

After a contraction in 2019, when market volume fell to 1 243 thousand tons as consumer demand shifted toward cheaper meats like chicken and pork, the CIS sheep and goat meat market entered a phase of sustained growth. Government subsidy programs for modernizing farm and industrial facilities, ongoing since 2020, supported increased domestic production, helping to offset reported declines in sheep and goat herds.

Regulatory measures, including tariff quotas on beef and poultry imports that indirectly shaped competition, and the lengthy preparation for mandatory meat labeling under the 'Honest Sign' system with a pilot launch in 2024, reinforced the import-substitution policy framework. These developments provided a structured environment for the market's expansion over the period.

Consequently, the market volume grew from 1 304 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 392 thousand tons in 2023, reflecting a recovery and consistent upward trend driven by state support for production capacity, despite some limiting factors in supply.

Production sheep and goat meat in CIS

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, sheep and goat meat production in the CIS region showed signs of recovery. In 2020, production reached 1 264 thousand tons, representing only a slight variation from the previous year's level. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, overall production contracted by 4.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest production volume during this timeframe was recorded in 2019 at 1 259 thousand tons, with that year also experiencing the most significant single-year drop of 4.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After experiencing declines for two straight years, sheep and goat meat production in the CIS region began to show improvement. In 2020, the output value reached 6 386 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate year-over-year increase of 9.6%. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production value actually decreased by 5.7%, averaging an annual decline of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 825 million US dollars, with that year witnessing the most substantial single-year contraction of 9.9%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from CIS

Exports in kind, t

The export market demonstrated considerable volatility throughout the period under review. From the peak in 2018 to the trough in 2020, export volumes experienced a dramatic 9.2-fold contraction. In 2020, CIS exports of sheep and goat meat totaled just 2 184 tons, representing a severe year-over-year decline of 87.8%. The highest export volume was achieved in 2018 at 20 001 tons, with that year also recording the most impressive growth surge of 238.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Iran emerged as the overwhelmingly dominant market for CIS sheep and goat meat exports in volume terms, accounting for 77.7% of total shipments. All other destination countries combined represented the remaining share of export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited significant fluctuations throughout the period. The market peaked in 2018 and reached its lowest point in 2020, with values contracting by a factor of 8.9 times between these two extremes. In 2020, CIS sheep and goat meat exports were valued at 11 037 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial year-over-year decline of 86.7%. The maximum export value was recorded in 2018 at 97 873 thousand US dollars, with that year also experiencing the strongest growth surge of 225.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran captured 81.6% of the total value of CIS sheep and goat meat exports. The remaining export value was distributed among numerous smaller markets across the globe.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to CIS

Imports in kind, t

CIS imports of sheep and goat meat declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volumes reached 1 739 tons, representing a 29.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the broader 2017-2020 timeframe, imports contracted by 22%, averaging an annual decline of 8.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 049 tons, with that year also experiencing the most significant single-year increase of 36.7%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Australia (32.3% of import volume), New Zealand (17.0%), and Iceland (5.6%) remained the leading suppliers of sheep and goat meat to the CIS region. Together, these three countries accounted for 54.9% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

For the second year in a row, the value of sheep and goat meat imports into the CIS region declined. In 2020, import values totaled 11 171 thousand US dollars, representing a 29.8% reduction compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, import values contracted by 36.6%, averaging an annual decline of 14.1%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 20 095 thousand US dollars, with that year also experiencing the strongest single-year growth of 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand (34.9% of import value), Australia (30.3%), and Iceland (3.8%) were the primary sources in the geographical breakdown of sheep and goat meat imports by value into the CIS region. Collectively, these three suppliers accounted for 69.0% of total import flows.

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

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