Sheep and goat meat market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

Production and consumption of sheep and goat meat in Myanmar grew consistently from 22 290 t in 2018 to 25 601 t by 2023. This 15% expansion over six years was supported by ongoing government initiatives to increase livestock output for local food security. In 2018, strategic visits by senior officials highlighted goat and sheep farming and cold storage development as priorities, while the Ministry of Agriculture provided technical support to farmers. The annual growth in livestock production, reported at 10-15% with a shift toward modern methods by 2019, provided a foundation for rising meat availability.

A key driver of market growth from 2021 was the launch of the Thilawa Multi-Agriculture and Livestock Zone Project, a large-scale initiative by the Myanmar Economic Corporation designed explicitly to boost meat production for both domestic supply and export. This focus on producing frozen meat for regional export markets continued into 2022, aligning with sustained high regional demand. By 2023, the market stabilized, with volume growth slowing to a marginal increase as rising transportation costs and higher cattle prices introduced new cost pressures into the supply chain.

Production sheep and goat meat in Myanmar

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

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Production dropped significantly from its peak in 2017 to its lowest point in 2018, changing by a factor of 8.4. In 2020, Myanmar produced 23.8 K t of sheep and goat meat, marking a modest 3.9% increase compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 22.2 K t, while the largest decline occurred that same year at 88.1%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Myanmar exported 427.8 t of sheep and goat meat, representing a substantial 71.3% increase compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the dominant export partner for Myanmar's sheep and goat meat shipments, accounting for 93.5% of total flows, while other markets represented only a small portion.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Myanmar's sheep and goat meat exports reached 2 139 K $ US, showing a significant 57.5% increase compared to 2019.

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

During 2017-2020, China accounted for the majority of export value, taking 93.7% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among various other markets.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

The market experienced considerable volatility during these years. Imports varied by a factor of 12.2 between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, Myanmar imported 59.9 t of sheep and goat meat, up 36.8% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 130.4 t, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 66.4%. The most significant increase took place in 2018 at 1 123.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia (35.6% of imports), the United Arab Emirates (33.7% of imports), and the United States (10.9% of imports) consistently led Myanmar's sheep and goat meat import structure, together accounting for 80.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Myanmar's sheep and goat meat imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 563 K $ US, representing a 27.0% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 286.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 57.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, two key markets—Australia and the United States—together accounted for 83.4% of total import value, while the remainder was spread across numerous other countries.

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

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