Sheep and goat meat market in Kuwait

Earlier Report Observations

After reaching 115.4 thousand tons in 2018, the market for sheep and goat meat in Kuwait stabilized at 113.1 thousand tons in 2019. This period saw growing consumer demand for fresh and chilled meat supported by 24-hour delivery services. The market volume then increased to 114.3 thousand tons in 2020, aided by a heightened focus on providing meat slaughtered according to Islamic standards, which bolstered consumer confidence and demand for quality products.

Market growth continued, reaching 116.9 thousand tons in 2021, as intensified competition among local butcher shops led to improved hygiene, pricing, and halal certification to attract customers. A significant expansion to 121.9 thousand tons occurred in 2022, driven by the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade's efforts to secure meat supplies through consumer cooperatives ahead of Ramadan, which involved pumping large quantities of fresh and chilled meat to meet peak seasonal demand.

In 2023, the market volume rose further to 123.2 thousand tons. This increase was supported by growing consumption of New Zealand lamb in the Kuwaiti market, which diversified the available supply and catered to consumer preferences for imported options.

Production sheep and goat meat in Kuwait

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, Kuwait produced 105 860 tons of sheep and goat meat, showing little change from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 102 478 tons, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 105 896 tons. The most significant decrease was observed in 2018, falling by 1.3%, whereas the largest increase took place in 2019, rising by 3.3%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Kuwait

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during the observed period, with exports varying dramatically between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019, showing a 10.4-fold difference. In 2020, Kuwait exported 159 tons of sheep and goat meat, marking a substantial increase of 651.5% compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 21 tons, with the sharpest decline occurring in 2018, dropping by 80.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Kuwait's sheep and goat meat exports in volume terms were Iraq, accounting for 58.2% of exports, the United Arab Emirates with 12.7%, and Qatar at 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented 80.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed notable fluctuations over the period, with the highest value recorded in 2020 and the lowest in 2018, resulting in an 8.7-fold difference between peak and trough. In 2020, Kuwait's sheep and goat meat exports totaled 990 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp year-over-year increase of 640.8%. The minimum value was 114 thousand US dollars in 2018, which also saw the largest decline of 77.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for Kuwait's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms were Iraq, contributing 66.3% of export value, Qatar with 13.6%, and Saudi Arabia at 6.9%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 86.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Kuwait

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Kuwait's sheep and goat meat imports rebounded in 2020, with a total volume reflecting a 19.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 37.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 220 tons, which also experienced the most significant decline of 44.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Australia dominated Kuwait's sheep and goat meat imports in volume terms, accounting for 61.9% of imports, followed by Spain at 10.8% and New Zealand with 8.0%. These three suppliers together represented 80.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year downturn, sheep and goat meat deliveries to Kuwait increased in 2020, with imports totaling 49 443 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 20.5% advance over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 42.8%, translating to an annualized decline of 17.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 41 036 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 50.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia remained the principal supplier of sheep and goat meat to Kuwait in value terms, accounting for 64.5% of imports, followed by New Zealand at 9.2% and India with 7.8%. Together, these three countries made up 81.5% of total import value.

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

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