Sheep and goat meat market in Georgia

Earlier Report Observations

Supported by the state program "Produce in Georgia," which introduced new sub-product codes to bolster local production, the market volume for sheep and goat meat reached 11 587 tons in 2018. The entry of a new player, "My Ranch," offering cheaper pork, also altered the competitive landscape. However, updated technical regulations for meat in 2019 imposed stricter licensing criteria, temporarily constraining supply and reducing the market volume to 8 965 tons. The market rebounded to 9 688 tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer patterns, boosting demand for meat products.

Export diversification efforts led by the National Food Agency in 2021 directed more sheep and goat meat abroad, reducing domestic availability and pulling the market volume down to 8 447 tons. In response, the authorities prioritized sub-products on the transport market in 2022, mandating standardized checks under Form #2, which encouraged production and lifted the market volume to 10 094 tons. By 2023, the market volume saw a slight moderation to 9 818 tons, reflecting a stabilization after the previous year's growth.

Production sheep and goat meat in Georgia

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

Georgia's sheep and goat meat production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 9 800 tons, marking a significant 16.9% drop compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 26.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 9.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 18 200 tons. That year also saw the largest increase of 35.8%, while the steepest decline occurred in 2019 with a 35.2% reduction.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Georgia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during the observed period. Export volumes peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a dramatic 57-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Georgia exported 116 tons of sheep and goat meat, representing a sharp 95.9% decline from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 618 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 48.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran dominated Georgia's sheep and goat meat exports in volume terms, accounting for 91.4% of total shipments. Other destinations played a relatively minor role during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values reached their highest point in 2018 and their lowest in 2020, with a 36-fold gap between these extremes. In 2020, Georgia exported sheep and goat meat worth 1 006 thousand US dollars, which is 93.4% lower than the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 36 493 thousand US dollars, accompanied by the largest increase of 53.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran remained the primary destination for Georgia's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms, capturing 89.9% of total export revenue. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Georgia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and declined to their lowest level in 2017, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.5 times. In 2020, Georgia imported 4 tons of sheep and goat meat, representing a sharp 47.7% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 81.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Armenia (26.2% of import volume), the Netherlands (21.3%), and Bahrain (19.7%) formed the main cluster of markets for Georgia's sheep and goat meat imports in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 67.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import values varied significantly, dropping from a high in 2019 to a low in 2020 with a 20-fold difference. In 2020, Georgia imported sheep and goat meat worth 4 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 95.0% decrease relative to the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 81 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 36.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Denmark (30.0% of import value), the Netherlands (21.9%), and France (12.0%) were the main markets for Georgia's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 63.9% of total import spending.

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

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