Sheep and goat meat market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

The Ethiopian sheep and goat meat market saw strong volume growth in 2019, expanding by over 28% to 515 thousand tons, followed by a more modest increase to 538 thousand tons in 2020. This period of expansion gave way to a gradual contraction from 2021 onward, with the market volume declining to 476 thousand tons by 2023.

Despite the falling physical volumes after 2020, the market value in US dollars followed a different path. After a slight dip in 2021, the value recovered and surged by nearly 18% in 2023 to reach 3.5 billion, indicating that substantial price increases more than offset the lower consumption levels in that year.

Export volumes were variable, declining notably from 2022 to 2023, which increased the supply available for domestic consumption. The market remained almost entirely dependent on local production, as imports were negligible throughout the period.

Production sheep and goat meat in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Ethiopia ranked among the world's top producers of sheep and goat meat from 2017 to 2020, securing the 13th position globally by production volume.

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's sheep and goat meat production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 549.1 thousand tons, marking a year-over-year increase of 3.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 45.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ethiopia's sheep and goat meat production value also increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 3 121 million US dollars, up 7.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 45.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.3%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

Ethiopia's sheep and goat meat exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 11 308 tons, representing a 14.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 29.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia dominated Ethiopia's sheep and goat meat exports in volume, together accounting for 97.2% of total flows. Other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Ethiopia's sheep and goat meat export value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 64 284 thousand US dollars, down 11.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 29.4%, with a compound annual decline of 11.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were the primary markets for Ethiopia's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms, jointly representing 97.4% of total flows. Other destinations held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend during this period. Import volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 3.5-fold difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2017. In 2020, Ethiopia imported 1 ton of sheep and goat meat, a 70.6% decrease from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 214.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (57.3% of import volume), Kenya (14.7%), and Australia (10.8%) consistently served as the main sources for Ethiopia's sheep and goat meat imports in kind. Together, these three countries accounted for 82.7% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Ethiopia 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 reached their lowest point in 2020, with an 8.1-fold difference between the high and low. In 2020, Ethiopia's sheep and goat meat imports were valued at 18 thousand US dollars, showing an 87.6% year-over-year decrease. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 142 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 92.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States played a leading role in Ethiopia's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms, accounting for 80.1% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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