Sheep and goat meat market in Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The sheep and goat meat market in Congo began the period with production at 2 945 t and imports of 206 t in 2018, indicating a structural reliance on imported supplies to meet protein demand. A ban on pork imports from the Netherlands in 2019, enforced with stricter sanitary controls, likely redirected consumer demand toward other meats, contributing to a rise in sheep and goat meat imports to 231 t and lifting the total market volume to 3 181 t. This import-driven expansion reversed sharply in 2020 as imports fell to 89 t, pulling the market volume down to 3 045 t despite a modest production increase to 2 957 t.

Market conditions improved in 2021 with the implementation of national animal health policies focusing on disease prophylaxis and surveillance, which supported a rise in domestic production to 2 996 t. To cover the remaining supply gap, imports recovered to 150 t, bringing the total market volume to 3 146 t. However, by 2022, a significant 24.5% increase in goat meat import prices recorded since 2018 raised sourcing costs, leading to a sharp contraction in imports to just 33 t. Consequently, the market volume declined to 3 034 t even as domestic production continued its steady growth, reaching 3 001 t.

In 2023, ongoing support projects and training programs aimed at revitalizing the goat meat sector helped domestic production climb further to 3 014 t. Imports partially rebounded to 60 t, allowing the total market volume to recover to 3 074 t, concluding the period with a market still shaped by domestic production gains and variable import flows.

Production sheep and goat meat in Congo

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

Congo's sheep and goat meat production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 957 tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 945 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 0.1% decrease, while the largest increase was observed in 2019 at 0.2%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Congo

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was consistently the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Congo's sheep and goat meat exports in volume terms, maintaining a 100.0% share throughout this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Democratic Republic of the Congo served as the primary and almost sole market for Congo's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of total export revenue.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Congo

Imports in kind, t

The import market demonstrated notable volatility during the observed period. The volume varied significantly, with a 4.1-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the low point in 2020. In 2020, Congo imported 88.6 tonnes of sheep and goat meat, representing a sharp 61.6% decrease compared to the previous year. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019 with an 11.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom (24.4% of volume imports), Belgium (17.4%), and Ireland (17.3%) were the leading sources for Congo's sheep and goat meat imports in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 59.1% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Congo's sheep and goat meat imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported $411.7 thousand worth of sheep and goat meat, marking a 25.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 43.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (36.4% of value imports), Belgium (27.7%), and the United Kingdom (9.0%) emerged as the primary sources for Congo's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms. Collectively, these three markets represented 73.2% of total import value.

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

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