Sheep and goat meat market in Malaysia

Earlier Report Observations

The Malaysian sheep and goat meat market began the period with consumption supported by rising disposable incomes and cultural preferences for home-cooked meals, with Australia as the primary supplier. Market volume declined in 2019 and recovered in 2020. In 2021, global supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures constrained imports and consumption, leading to a sharp contraction in market size to 36 204 т.

Government intervention in 2022, including price stabilization subsidies and eased import requirements for meat, facilitated a rebound in market volume to 50 279 т. Concurrently, consumer shifts toward halal-certified frozen products gained momentum. The following year saw strengthened regulatory frameworks for meat inspection and halal certification, which raised compliance standards while urbanization and demand for convenience continued to shape consumption patterns, though market volume softened slightly to 45 500 т.

Import volumes continued to climb in 2024 and 2025, reflecting sustained demand driven by the expansion of supermarket and hypermarket channels in urban centers, which offer packaged, chilled, and frozen options meeting halal requirements. This retail transformation, coupled with growing dual-income households, underpinned the market's reliance on imported sheep and goat meat to satisfy domestic needs.

Production sheep and goat meat in Malaysia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2018-2021

Malaysia's sheep and goat meat production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 7 005 tonnes, marking a 10.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 21%, with an average annual decline of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports sheep and goat meat from Malaysia

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. From 2018 to 2019, the peak-to-trough amplitude reached 7.4 times. In 2021, Malaysia exported 92 tonnes of sheep and goat meat, representing a substantial 79.2% increase year-over-year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 32 tonnes, while the sharpest decline occurred that same year at 86.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, China (29.5% of export volume), Mongolia (21.1%), and Cambodia (9.2%) formed the core markets for Malaysia's sheep and goat meat exports, collectively accounting for 59.9% of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular patterns, pointing to a volatile market environment. The 2018-2019 period saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 7.5 times. In 2021, Malaysia's cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat reached 0.2 million US dollars, reflecting a significant 10.7% year-over-year decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.1 million US dollars, with the sharpest drop that year at 86.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2020 at 79.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Malaysia's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Cambodia (18.9% of export value), China (16.6%), and the Netherlands (11.9%) together captured just 47.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Malaysia in value, 2018-2021

Imports sheep and goat meat to Malaysia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Malaysia imported 29 292 tonnes of sheep and goat meat, corresponding to a 22.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 19.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 6.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 37 828 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 20.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021, t

During 2018-2021, Australia dominated Malaysia's sheep and goat meat imports by volume, accounting for 75.9% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among other partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Malaysia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Malaysia's sheep and goat meat imports stood at 185.3 million US dollars, showing a notable 11.4% drop versus the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 164.0 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 209.2 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2020 at 27.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malaysia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Australia accounted for 74.8% of Malaysia's total sheep and goat meat imports by value, with the remaining flows scattered across multiple smaller partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Malaysia in value, 2018-2021