Sheep and goat meat market in Jordan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh, chilled, or frozen sheep and goat meat in Jordan experienced a significant contraction in 2019, with total market volume falling to 75 514 t from 96 928 t the previous year. This decline was driven by a sharp drop in domestic production, which fell by over 19 000 t, while imports also decreased. From 2020 onward, the market entered a recovery phase, led by consistent growth in local production. By 2023, output had reached 80 140 t, surpassing pre-contraction levels and marking a clear rebound in the sector.

Over the 2018-2023 period, the structure of supply shifted notably. Domestic production became increasingly dominant, rising from 74 980 t to 80 140 t, while import volumes more than halved from their 2018 peak of 22 111 t to 11 542 t in 2023. This rebalancing resulted in a total market volume of 91 577 t in 2023, which remained slightly below the 2018 high but reflected a market increasingly supplied by local sources. The most pronounced import reduction occurred in 2021, coinciding with a period of strong production growth.

In 2024, the livestock sector saw a 1% increase in sheep and goat herds compared to 2023, accompanied by a 2% rise in newborn animals. This growth in the informal livestock sector indicates an expanding base for potential future meat production, although complete market data for the year is not yet available.

Production sheep and goat meat in Jordan

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, Jordan produced 65 132 tons of sheep and goat meat, marking a significant 17.1% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest production level was observed in 2019 at 55 608 tons, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 74 980 tons. The most substantial year-over-year decrease took place in 2019, when production fell by 25.8%. Conversely, the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a notable 23.1% rise.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Jordan

Exports in kind, t

Jordan's export volume of sheep and goat meat continued to decline for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported just 1 ton, representing a dramatic 99.6% drop compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports plummeted by 99.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -88.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Free Zones and Australia were the primary destinations for Jordan's sheep and goat meat exports in volume terms, together accounting for 99.7% of the total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market for sheep and goat meat exports from Jordan experienced notable fluctuations during this period. From the peak in 2020 to the trough in 2019, export values changed by a factor of 3.3. In 2020, the total value of these exports reached 2.8 million US dollars, showing a substantial year-over-year increase of 225.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.9 million US dollars, while the most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 50.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical distribution of sheep and goat meat exports in value terms was largely shaped by Free Zones and Australia, which together made up 99.7% of the total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Jordan

Imports in kind, t

Jordan's imports of sheep and goat meat declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the import volume totaled 16 329 tons, reflecting an 18.6% decrease compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 33.4%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 12.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, Australia and New Zealand were the main sources for Jordan's sheep and goat meat imports in volume terms, jointly representing 85.1% of total import flows. Other trading partners contributed much smaller shares individually.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Jordan's import value of sheep and goat meat continued to decline for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 108.1 million US dollars, indicating a sharp decrease of 18.6% compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, import values dropped by 25.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and New Zealand remained the key sources for Jordan's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms, together accounting for 85.4% of total import flows. Other partners played a much less significant role individually.

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

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