Sheep and goat meat market in Hong Kong

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh, chilled, or frozen sheep and goat meat in Hong Kong grew steadily from 8,710 tonnes in 2018 to 8,789 tonnes in 2019 and 8,979 tonnes in 2020, before a significant expansion to 10,065 tonnes in 2021. This growth was primarily driven by increased import volumes, which rose to over 10,000 tonnes in 2021.

A sharp reversal occurred in 2022, when the market volume contracted by more than half to 4,509 tonnes. This dramatic decline was closely linked to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the restaurant and food service sector, which severely reduced out-of-home consumption of meat, including sheep and goat meat.

The market continued to adjust in 2023, declining further to 4,180 tonnes. During this period, mainland China's rising demand for outdoor consumption and its increasing imports of sheep meat likely influenced broader trade dynamics and availability. Concurrently, enhanced food safety regulations and increased scrutiny of meat imports, as part of broader regional policy efforts, introduced additional considerations for the supply chain into Hong Kong.

Production sheep and goat meat in Hong Kong

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

In 2020, Hong Kong produced 168.6 tons of sheep and goat meat, marking a modest 4.4% decline compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 158.6 tons. That same year saw the most significant drop of 14.1%, while 2019 experienced the largest increase of 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Hong Kong in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sheep and goat meat from Hong Kong

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their peak in 2018, then fell to their lowest point in 2020 — a fluctuation of 3.7 times. In 2020, sheep and goat meat deliveries from Hong Kong totaled 413 tons, down by 57.9% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 506 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 212.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Macao and Vietnam played the leading roles in exports by volume, together accounting for 92.0% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. From peak in 2018 to trough in 2020, exports changed by 2.2 times. In 2020, sheep and goat meat exports from Hong Kong reached 3 339 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic decrease of 43.3% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 424 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 79.7%.

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

In the period 2017–2020, the structure of exports in value terms was marked by the predominance of Macao, which absorbed 84.8% of total flows, alongside a large number of minor partners.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Hong Kong

Imports in kind, t

The volume of sheep and goat meat imports into Hong Kong declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 9 223 tons, down by 3.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia (35.4% of imports in kind), New Zealand (23.0% of imports in kind), and China (21.2% of imports in kind) were the principal sources for imports by volume, jointly accounting for 79.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, sheep and goat meat import volumes in Hong Kong increased. In 2020, import volume reached 66 539 thousand US dollars, which is 1.3% higher compared with 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 65 700 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets — New Zealand, China, and Australia — together absorbed 89.1% of total imports in value terms of sheep and goat meat to Hong Kong.

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

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