Sheep and goat meat market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sheep and goat meat in Middle Africa rose consistently from 788 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 040 thousand tons in 2023, supported by steady production growth while imports and exports played a minor role.

The production increase in 2023 was notably driven by herd recovery and substantial investments in livestock infrastructure in Cameroon, including vaccination programs and artificial insemination, which boosted meat output by 7% during the first eight months of the year.

In 2024, regulatory developments came into force, such as the mandatory application of 29 agro-food standards and origin labeling requirements for meat served in out-of-home dining, aiming to enhance product quality and consumer transparency.

Production sheep and goat meat in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

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

Sheep and goat meat production in Middle Africa has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 865.0 thousand tons, marking a 5.0% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Export volumes fluctuated dramatically, changing 52 times from the peak in 2019 to the low in 2018. In 2020, Middle Africa exported 0.0 tons of sheep and goat meat, a sharp 97.0% drop year-over-year. The lowest volume was 0.0 tons in 2018, while the highest was 1 ton in 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 at 97.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 5 141.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, sheep and goat meat exports from Middle Africa were distributed across many markets. France accounted for 17.7% of exports, the Bahamas for 4.6%, and Portugal for 1.6%, together making up just 23.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market was highly volatile in these years. Export values peaked in 2017 and hit a low in 2020, shifting 108-fold. In 2020, sheep and goat meat exports from Middle Africa totaled 0.1 thousand US dollars, a steep 99.0% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 8 335.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the Bahamas, and Portugal were the top destinations for Middle Africa's sheep and goat meat exports by value. France held 40.5% of export value, the Bahamas 12.2%, and Portugal 3.3%, together accounting for 56.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, sheep and goat meat imports into Middle Africa fell. In 2020, imports reached 866 tons, a substantial 23.7% decline from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The highest volume was 1 135 tons in 2019, and the largest increase was 11.4% in 2018.

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

During 2017–2020, sheep and goat meat imports to Middle Africa came from a wide range of countries. Spain contributed 14.2% of imports, Belgium 8.2%, and Portugal 7.4%, together representing only 29.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of sheep and goat meat into Middle Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 4 350 thousand US dollars worth of sheep and goat meat, a modest 6.7% decrease from the year before. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 13%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The highest value was 5 360 thousand US dollars in 2018. The largest decline was 13.0% in 2019, and the largest increase was 39.2% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, New Zealand, and France were the leading suppliers of sheep and goat meat to Middle Africa by value. Spain accounted for 13.2% of import value, New Zealand for 10.4%, and France for 10.2%, but their combined share was just 33.8% of total imports, indicating a diversified supplier base.

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

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