Sheep and goat meat market in Iraq

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the sheep and goat meat market in Iraq showed slight fluctuations, with volume moving from 109.1 thousand tons to 108.1 thousand tons. Domestic production faced persistent constraints due to water scarcity and climate change, which reduced natural pastures and raised feed costs, limiting livestock output. The legacy of previously state-owned agricultural companies, most of which ceased operations after privatization and an economic blockade, further contributed to a fragile production base.

Market volume began to recover from 2021, reaching 109.4 thousand tons that year and climbing to 113.4 thousand tons by 2023. This increase was driven primarily by a sharp rise in imports, which jumped to 3.6 thousand tons in 2023 from only 0.4 thousand tons in 2022, responding to strong domestic demand and ongoing supply shortfalls. New investment entered the related poultry sector in 2021, signaling broader activity in meat production, while consumer demand remained high amid continued climate-related challenges to local farming.

In 2024, the government lifted restrictions on importing fresh and chilled red meat, including sheep meat, leading to a substantial rise in imports which reached 12.4 thousand tons. This policy shift directly addressed the persistent supply gaps caused by water scarcity and climate impacts on domestic animal husbandry.

Production sheep and goat meat in Iraq

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

Iraq's sheep and goat meat production continued its downward trend for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 107 580 tons of sheep and goat meat, representing a slight decrease of 0.7% compared to the previous year.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Iraq

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Iraq's exports of sheep and goat meat amounted to just 1 ton, showing a sharp decline of 88.2% from 2019 levels.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates were the dominant buyers of Iraqi sheep and goat meat, together accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Iraq's sheep and goat meat exports in 2020 reached 6 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial decrease of 92.7% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates played crucial roles in Iraq's sheep and goat meat exports by value, jointly representing 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Iraq

Imports in kind, t

Iraq's imports of sheep and goat meat fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 546 tons, reflecting a significant year-over-year decline of 12.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 63%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 28.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Australia (with 28.7% of import volume), Tanzania (17.1%), and the United Arab Emirates (13.2%) were the largest contributors to Iraq's sheep and goat meat imports, together making up 59.0% of total volume flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Iraq's sheep and goat meat imports totaled 2 840 thousand US dollars, showing a strong year-over-year decline of 11.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 56.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -24.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 759 thousand US dollars. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018 at 57.9%, while the largest increase was seen in 2019 at 16.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets — Australia, Tanzania, and the United Arab Emirates — collectively accounted for 61.1% of Iraq's total sheep and goat meat import value.

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

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