Sheep and goat meat market in Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The sheep and goat meat market in Eswatini expanded from 6 488 т in 2018 to 6 781 т in 2020. This growth was supported by a steady increase in the national goat and sheep population, which rose from 478,919 goats in 2017 to over 525,000 by 2021, enlarging the base for meat production. Eswatini Meat Industries Limited remained the dominant processor and exporter, with preferential tariff‑free access to the European Union and Norwegian markets, although actual exports remained below the allocated quotas.

After 2020, market volume stabilized around 6 700‑6 800 т. In 2021, growing fresh beef trade within the Southern African Customs Union, which applies a 0% intra‑SACU tariff, provided broader support to the livestock sector. From 2022, the absence of a legal requirement for farmers to report private slaughters of goats and sheep meant official data might not fully capture all market activity. By 2024, an outbreak of foot‑and‑mouth disease led the European Union to suspend Eswatini’s authorization to export fresh sheep and goat meat, creating a new challenge for market access.

Production sheep and goat meat in Eswatini

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

Eswatini's sheep and goat meat production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 740 tonnes, marking a 3.3% rise from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6 336 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.0%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Eswatini

Exports in kind, t

Sheep and goat meat exports from Eswatini have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2019, export volumes reached 21.5 tonnes, a dramatic increase of 21 877.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2019, exports surged by 65 564.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 769.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway and Mozambique were the key destinations for Eswatini's sheep and goat meat exports, together accounting for 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sheep and goat meat exports from Eswatini have increased for the second year in a row. In 2019, the country exported 128.3 thousand US dollars worth of sheep and goat meat, representing a sharp rise of 20 412.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, export values grew by 52 247.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 705.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in value terms was highly concentrated, with Norway and Mozambique jointly making up 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Eswatini

Imports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Imports peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.7-fold difference between the two. In 2020, Eswatini imported 41.0 tonnes of sheep and goat meat, a decrease of 41.7% from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 151.7 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 81.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 53.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Australia were the dominant sources for Eswatini's sheep and goat meat imports, together accounting for 99.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sheep and goat meat imports into Eswatini have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 189.2 thousand US dollars, a sharp reduction of 39.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import values decreased by 57.6%, with an average annual decline of 24.9%. The highest import value was in 2018 at 698.4 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 56.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 55.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms was largely shaped by South Africa and Australia, which together accounted for 99.7% of total import flows.

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

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