Sheep and goat meat market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The production of sheep and goat meat in Eastern Asia rose from 10 007 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 11 231 thousand tonnes in 2023, with market volume expanding from 10 368 to 11 708 thousand tonnes. This growth was supported by the long-term industrialization of the red meat sector, which began in the 1980s and had raised average meat output per animal by about 45% by 2017. Consumer demand was strengthened by the popularity of hot pot cuisine and the rise of Western-style restaurants, which increased consumption of sheep and goat meat.

In 2018, a sharp doubling of pork prices due to a 16-year low in pork output led retailers to sell more frozen meat stocks, making sheep and goat meat a more attractive alternative. The government released frozen pork reserves to stabilize the market, and the trend toward healthier eating further supported demand for fresh and chilled meat products.

Production continued to grow steadily through 2023. In 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs accelerated beef classification and grading standards to improve red meat quality, and a safeguard investigation was launched into imported beef, which may influence future import conditions for sheep and goat meat.

Production sheep and goat meat in Eastern 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

Sheep and goat meat production in Eastern Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 10 566 thousand tons, marking a 2.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Asia's sheep and goat meat production has expanded in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 59 094 million US dollars, reflecting a significant 21.6% increase over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 14.8%, translating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 45 242 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 12.1%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat from Eastern Asia have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports dropped to 4.9 thousand tons, a sharp decrease of 54.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 55.7%, with an average annual decrease of 23.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 12.5 thousand tons, which also recorded the largest increase of 12.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates formed the core group of markets for exports in kind. Iran accounted for 33.3% of exports, Vietnam for 16.5%, and the UAE for 0.8%, together representing 50.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat from Eastern Asia have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 28 million US dollars, a decrease of 46.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 52.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 22.0%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, exports in value terms of sheep and goat meat from Eastern Asia were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Iran accounted for 20.8% of exports, Vietnam for 5.3%, and the United Arab Emirates for 1.1%, together making up just 27.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat to Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, the region imported 414.2 thousand tons, down by 6.5% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 37.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 443.0 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 23.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, New Zealand and Australia were the dominant markets for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 96.7% of total flows. Other destinations had relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year rise, imported sheep and goat meat volumes in Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, the region imported approximately 2 147 million US dollars worth of sheep and goat meat, representing a 5.0% fall compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 72.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 20.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 260 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 38.6%.

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

In 2017–2020, two markets—New Zealand and Australia—played the leading roles in imports in value terms, together accounting for 96.3% of total flows. The remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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