Sheep and goat meat market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the sheep and goat meat market in Eastern Africa expanded from 1,373 thousand tons to 1,680 thousand tons. This growth was supported by the Kenya Meat Commission's renewed export activity, which involved weekly shipments of chilled and frozen meat, bolstering large-scale processing. Simultaneously, breeding programs using Dorper rams and the role of state-run farms improved genetic quality and meat yields, increasing domestic supply.

Market volume dipped to 1,539 thousand tons by 2022 after peaking in 2020. During this period, farmers adopted more efficient practices like zero-grazing units and mixed systems to address feed challenges, while butchers reported strong profit margins from goat meat due to steady consumer preference. The market also saw product diversification with premium vacuum-packed cuts and traditional dried meat, enhancing segment offerings.

In 2023, the market recovered to 1,693 thousand tons. Kenya Meat Commission maintained its procurement standards and cold storage expansion, supporting export readiness. Sustained domestic demand in urban areas and from food service outlets continued to underpin consumption.

Production sheep and goat meat in Eastern Africa

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

Eastern Africa's sheep and goat meat production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 699 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.2% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 32.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Eastern Africa's sheep and goat meat production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 8 479 million US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 3.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 21%, with an average annual rate of 6.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 8 799 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.8%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's sheep and goat meat export volume has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 24 433 tonnes, up 3.2% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 3.7%, averaging 1.2% per year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 23 358 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 0.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were the top destinations for Eastern Africa's sheep and goat meat exports in volume, together accounting for 86.0% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Eastern Africa's sheep and goat meat export value has fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 121.9 million US dollars, a 4.5% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The highest value was in 2018 at 128.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 0.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were the leading buyers of sheep and goat meat from Eastern Africa in value terms, together making up 88.4% of total exports. Other destinations each held relatively minor shares.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's sheep and goat meat import volume has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported about 4 746 tonnes, down 12.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 30%, with an average annual decline of 11.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Australia and New Zealand were the primary sources for sheep and goat meat imports to Eastern Africa in volume, jointly representing 83.0% of total flows. The rest was spread across smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Eastern Africa's sheep and goat meat import value has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 30.4 million US dollars, a 5.6% drop compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 17.8%, with an average annual rate of -6.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 37.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1.2%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Australia was the dominant source for sheep and goat meat imports to Eastern Africa in value terms, holding 72.0% of total flows. Other countries each accounted for significantly smaller shares.

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

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