Sheep and goat meat market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, New Zealand's sheep and goat meat market volume was supported by increased goat meat production, partly due to demand shifting from the pig industry, while packaging innovations like Captech extended shelf life and boosted chilled lamb exports. By 2019, the market volume had dipped slightly, a year that saw discussions around processing capacity among major players like Alliance and Progressive Meats and identified the U.S. as a potential growth market for goat meat.

Market volume rebounded in 2020, aided by strong chilled export trade despite dry conditions affecting supplies. A sharp contraction followed in 2021 when depressed Chinese demand, increased competition from Australia, and declining sheepmeat consumption in key markets like the UK reduced export values and farmgate prices, pulling down production and overall market size.

The market continued to gradually shrink in 2022 as dairy farming expansion replaced some sheep production, though meat prices remained historically high supported by seasonal demand peaks. By 2023, the market volume stabilized around 482 thousand tons, while its value fell sharply to $2.9 billion US, reflecting lower prices and altered export patterns.

Production sheep and goat meat in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand ranked fifth globally in sheep and goat meat production volume.

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, New Zealand produced 887.9 thousand tonnes of sheep and goat meat, marking a 3.8% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 5.6%, averaging an annual decline of 1.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 at 4.2%, while the largest increase was in 2020 at 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of decline, sheep and goat meat production in New Zealand rebounded. In 2021, the output was valued at 6 516 million US dollars, representing an u11.9% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 5 824 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports sheep and goat meat from New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

Sheep and goat meat exports from New Zealand grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 397.5 thousand tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 2.7%, averaging an annual decline of 0.9%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 391.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest drop that year at 4.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2020 at 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States were the top buyers of sheep and goat meat from New Zealand, accounting for 53.2%, 10.1%, and 6.6% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, they represented 70.0% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, New Zealand's sheep and goat meat exports increased. In 2021, exports were valued at 2 917 million US dollars, up 16.6% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 2 503 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that year at 2.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom remained the leading buyers of sheep and goat meat from New Zealand in value terms, with shares of 40.8%, 10.7%, and 10.5%, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 62.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, sheep and goat meat imports into New Zealand declined. In 2021, imports totaled 3.3 thousand tonnes, a 4.4% decrease from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 24.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%. The highest volume was in 2020 at 3.5 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase occurred that year at 24.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout 2018-2021, Australia and the United Kingdom dominated New Zealand's sheep and goat meat imports in volume, together accounting for 77.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, New Zealand imported 16 million US dollars worth of sheep and goat meat, a gradual decline of 5.8% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 36.3%, averaging an annual increase of 10.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 11 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 17 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 49.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Australia and the United Kingdom were the primary sources for sheep and goat meat imports into New Zealand in value terms, jointly representing 66.3% of total flows.

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

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