Sheep and goat meat market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The sheep and goat meat market in Egypt contracted sharply in 2019, falling from 149 thousand tons to 109 thousand tons. This decline was driven by Egypt's bans on red meat imports from Brazil and India due to livestock disease outbreaks, which severely restricted supply, coinciding with a continued decline in sheep and goat herds caused by chronic shortages of feed, water, and animal diseases.

The market recovered over 2020-2022, peaking at 165 thousand tons in 2022. The import shortfall following the bans stimulated growth in domestic production to fill the gap. This expansion was supported by increased deliveries from state-affiliated consumer complexes and the scaling of supply chain operations by private companies like Fion Foods, which invested to ensure quality and meet growing consumer demand for fresh and processed meat products.

A correction occurred in 2023, with the market shrinking to 152 thousand tons. A sharp increase in red meat prices led to lower consumption and prompted an exodus of butchers and livestock breeders from the industry. Further pressure came from the war in Sudan, which disrupted traditional live animal imports, and a new import policy that prohibited frozen red meat, allowing only fresh, chilled, and vacuum-packed beef and sheep meat. In 2024, weak purchasing power continued to affect prices and import expectations.

Production sheep and goat meat in Egypt

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

After two consecutive years of decline, Egypt's sheep and goat meat production rebounded in 2020. The country produced 140.0 K t of sheep and goat meat that year, representing a significant 29.6% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production actually decreased by 25.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 108.0 K t, when the sector experienced its steepest contraction of 26.7%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

Egypt's sheep and goat meat export market demonstrated considerable volatility during the observed period. Exports fluctuated dramatically, dropping from a peak in 2018 to a trough in 2019 with a twenty-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, exports recovered sharply to reach 23 t, marking an extraordinary 1 682.1% surge compared to the previous year. The export volume bottomed out at just 1 t in 2019, while the highest level of 26 t was achieved in 2018. The most severe contraction occurred in 2019 when exports plummeted by 95.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt's sheep and goat meat exports were heavily concentrated in just two markets. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait together consistently accounted for 90.2% of total export volumes, indicating a highly concentrated trade pattern with numerous smaller markets making up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Egypt's sheep and goat meat exports followed an unstable trajectory throughout the period. Export revenues reached their highest point in 2020 after hitting their lowest level in 2019, creating a twenty-seven-fold swing between these extremes. In 2020, export earnings totaled 162 K $ US, reflecting a dramatic 2 636.9% year-over-year increase. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at just 6 K $ US, while the steepest decline occurred that same year with a 95.8% contraction.

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

From 2017 through 2020, Egypt's sheep and goat meat export revenues were overwhelmingly concentrated in two destinations. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait together captured 90.2% of total export value, with the remaining share distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

Egypt's sheep and goat meat imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import volumes reached 711 t that year, representing a sharp 44.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the broader 2017-2020 period, imports contracted by 31.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 11.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 422 t, when imports surged by 36.7%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Australia dominated Egypt's sheep and goat meat imports by volume, accounting for 73.1% of total import flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller supplying countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Egypt's expenditure on sheep and goat meat imports declined for the second year running in 2020. The country imported approximately 4 965 K $ US worth of sheep and goat meat that year, representing a 38.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values contracted by 22.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 8.3%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 9 034 K $ US, when imports surged by 40.4%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Australia was the dominant source of Egypt's sheep and goat meat imports by value, accounting for 78.3% of total import expenditure. Other markets collectively represented a much smaller portion of Egypt's import portfolio.

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

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