Sheep and goat meat market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh, chilled, or frozen sheep and goat meat in Northern Africa experienced moderate fluctuations between 2 242 K t and 2 309 K t from 2018 to 2023. Initial stability was supported by the expansion of domestic production and steady regional export demand. The market's resilience was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which had a limited disruptive impact due to sustained sanitary controls and supply chain adaptation.

Growth in 2021 was primarily driven by rising domestic consumption within Northern African countries, where consumer preferences shifted toward fresh and quality products, alongside the entry of new market players. A slight contraction in 2022 coincided with a reported 30% drop in export values from key regional suppliers like Ethiopia and shifting import patterns. However, the market recovered in 2023, aided by investments in cold storage infrastructure across the region and persistent demand growth in urban centers.

Into 2024, import volumes rose to 9 K t while exports fell to 1 K t, indicating ongoing reliance on external supplies. Regulatory developments, including evolving labeling requirements and international safety standards, continued to shape market access and trade flows, with global price fluctuations affecting cost and availability.

Production sheep and goat meat in Northern 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

After two consecutive years of decline, sheep and goat meat production in Northern Africa rebounded in 2020. The region produced 2 294 thousand tons that year, representing a 2.3% increase compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 243 thousand tons, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 1.1% decrease.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. The highest export volume was registered in 2020, while the lowest occurred in 2018, creating a peak-to-trough ratio of 3:1. Northern Africa exported 4 432 tons of sheep and goat meat in 2020, marking a substantial 76.5% year-over-year increase. The minimum export value was recorded in 2018 at 1 502 tons, with the largest decline that year reaching 58.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates (58.9% of exports in kind), Qatar (17.2%), and Saudi Arabia (6.6%) remained the primary buyers of sheep and goat meat from Northern Africa. Together, these three markets accounted for 82.7% of the region's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated significant instability during the analyzed period. Export values reached their peak in 2020 before falling to their lowest point in 2019, representing a fluctuation of 1.7 times between these extremes. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat from Northern Africa amounted to 25 974 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 75.0% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 14 845 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year reaching 31.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Northern Africa's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms were the United Arab Emirates (59.5% of exports in value terms), Qatar (15.9%), and Bahrain (7.9%). These three markets collectively represented 83.3% of the region's total export value.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Sheep and goat meat imports to Northern Africa declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. The region imported [value_last_year] tons that year, equivalent to a 31.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 62.4%, representing an annualized decline rate of 27.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Australia (38.8% of imports in kind), Spain (26.5%), and Saudi Arabia (6.8%) were the principal sources of sheep and goat meat imports to Northern Africa. Together, these three countries accounted for 72.1% of the region's total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Northern Africa's sheep and goat meat imports declined for the third straight year in 2020. The region imported [value_last_year] thousand US dollars worth of these products that year, amounting to a significant 30.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 59.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia (46.3% of imports in value terms), Spain (24.7%), and Saudi Arabia (5.0%) formed the main cluster of markets for Northern Africa's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms. These three sources combined accounted for 76.0% of the region's total import value.

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

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