Sheep and goat meat market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sheep and goat meat in the Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2020. After reaching 42.8 thousand tons in 2018, the market volume fell to 39.0 thousand tons in 2019 before rebounding to 43.0 thousand tons in 2020.

From 2021 to 2023, the market stabilized around 43 thousand tons. In 2022, a global increase in meat prices of over 10% put upward pressure on domestic costs, coinciding with a slight market contraction to 42.8 thousand tons. The following year, rising consumer goods prices in Kinshasa continued to constrain household spending on meat, while the expansion of the Kin Marché retail chain improved product accessibility for frozen meats. These opposing forces contributed to a further modest decline to 42.3 thousand tons in 2023.

Entering 2024, market dynamics were shaped by sustained price pressures from a depreciating Congolese franc affecting imported frozen meat, along with global factors such as livestock diseases and traceability innovations. A French decree mandating origin labeling for meat in restaurants also introduced new considerations for international supply chains serving the DRC. Import volumes rose to 117 tons, though overall production data for the year was not available.

Production sheep and goat meat in Democratic Republic of the 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

In 2020, Democratic Republic of the Congo produced 42 936 tons of sheep and goat meat, marking a 10.5% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 38 862 tons, which also saw the most significant decline of 9.2%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was virtually the sole buyer of sheep and goat meat from Democratic Republic of the Congo, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, France dominated the geographical structure of sheep and goat meat exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value terms, representing 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a six-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Democratic Republic of the Congo imported 24.7 tons of sheep and goat meat from abroad, representing a sharp 83.5% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 149.1 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 291.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (58.5% of import volume), China (11.4%), and Poland (8.0%) were the key partners for sheep and goat meat imports into Democratic Republic of the Congo, together accounting for 77.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values peaked in 2019 and dropped to their lowest point in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.9 times. In 2020, the value of sheep and goat meat imports into Democratic Republic of the Congo totaled 157.7 thousand US dollars, showing a 65.3% decrease compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 156.9 thousand US dollars, while the maximum reached 454.0 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also experienced the largest increase of 189.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy (47.9% of import value), China (11.0%), and South Africa (8.3%) emerged as the main sources for sheep and goat meat imports into Democratic Republic of the Congo in value terms, collectively representing 67.2% of total import flows.

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

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