Sheep and goat meat market in Kazakhstan

Earlier Report Observations

The sheep and goat meat market in Kazakhstan opened the period at 338 thousand tons in 2018, a level supported by a reported increase in national sheep livestock numbers. Volumes then contracted to 294 thousand tons in 2019 before showing a slight recovery to 297 thousand tons in 2020.

A more sustained expansion began in 2021, lifting the market to 302 thousand tons. This trend was interrupted in 2022 when the market size fell to 293 thousand tons, a shift that coincided with the introduction of export quotas for beef, which may have redirected trade flows and contributed to a sharp rise in sheep meat exports. The market rebounded to 300 thousand tons in 2023, driven by a reported surge in fresh meat production at the start of the year and rising consumer prices for lamb.

Into 2024, the sector saw the implementation of new labeling requirements for meat products and a general increase in meat consumption, indicating ongoing regulatory and demand-side developments.

Production sheep and goat meat in Kazakhstan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Kazakhstan ranked 20th globally in sheep and goat meat production by volume.

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

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

Following two years of decline, Kazakhstan's sheep and goat meat production saw a modest increase in 2020, reaching 298.4 thousand tonnes—a 0.6% year-over-year rise. However, over the 2017–2020 period, production fell by 12.9%, averaging an annual decline of 4.5%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 296.5 thousand tonnes, with the steepest drop of 13.1% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Kazakhstan's sheep and goat meat production value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 1,332 million US dollars—an 8.1% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the production value dropped by 22.8%, with an average annual decline of 8.3%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 1,741 million US dollars, while the sharpest fall of 16.8% occurred in 2019. The only increase during this period was a slight 0.9% rise in 2018.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Kazakhstan

Exports in kind, t

The export market for sheep and goat meat showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020, with import levels varying by 3.6 times between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, Kazakhstan's exports totaled 1,440 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 43.9% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3,046 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 264.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates were the top three markets for Kazakhstan's sheep and goat meat exports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 85.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for sheep and goat meat exhibited considerable instability during the 2017–2020 period, fluctuating by 3.7 times between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017. In 2020, export earnings fell to 6,427 thousand US dollars, down 48.7% from 2019. The highest value was achieved in 2018 at 15,547 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the most significant increase of 269.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, Iran (52.9% of export value), Russia (18.4%), and the United Arab Emirates (13.3%) remained the leading destinations for Kazakhstan's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms, together representing 84.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Kazakhstan

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes for sheep and goat meat were highly volatile from 2017 to 2020, with a 5.4-fold difference between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2019. In 2020, imports into Kazakhstan reached 30 tonnes, a 72.4% increase from 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 17 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 93 tonnes. The steepest decline of 81.5% occurred in 2019, whereas the largest increase of 110.1% was seen in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia and Mongolia dominated Kazakhstan's sheep and goat meat imports in volume terms, together accounting for 88.3% of total import flows, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for sheep and goat meat displayed notable volatility from 2017 to 2020, with a fourfold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2019. In 2020, import spending totaled 156 thousand US dollars, a modest 3.3% increase from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 151 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 596 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline of 74.7% occurred in 2019, and the largest increase of 94.8% was observed in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia overwhelmingly dominated Kazakhstan's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms, capturing 87.9% of total import flows, while other trading partners held relatively minor shares.

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

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