Sheep and goat meat market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The sheep and goat meat market in Northern America saw a gradual contraction in volume from 215.3 thousand tons in 2018 to 202.8 thousand tons in 2023. This overall decline was primarily due to a sustained reduction in domestic production, which fell from 194.1 thousand tons to 176.4 thousand tons over the period. The drop in local output was partially counterbalanced by rising imports, which increased from 21.5 thousand tons to 26.6 thousand tons, peaking at 30.9 thousand tons in 2022.

Industry dynamics shifted in 2023 when Minerva Foods SA acquired the majority of Marfrig's cattle and sheep slaughtering and deboning operations in South America, consolidating major processing capacity in a key global supply region. The following year, significant investments in cold-chain infrastructure, including a new 291 000-square-foot cold storage facility in Savannah, Georgia, strengthened logistics for chilled and frozen meat. Coupled with rising consumer demand for protein-rich and organic meat products, these developments supported a rebound in import volumes, which reached 30.2 thousand tons in 2024.

Production sheep and goat meat in Northern America

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 Northern America has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 181.9 K t, marking a modest 5.3% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 2.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 194.1 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 4.2% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of sheep and goat meat production in Northern America has also dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 242 M $ US, reflecting a moderate 5.2% decrease compared to 2019. However, over the broader 2017-2020 period, production value actually increased by 6.7%, averaging a 2.2% annual growth rate. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 1 466 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 25.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 10.6% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sheep and goat meat from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

Northern America's sheep and goat meat exports have continued to decline, marking the third consecutive year of contraction. In 2020, the region exported 149 t, representing a 6.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell sharply by 40.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 15.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Northern America's sheep and goat meat exports were distributed across a wide range of partners. The top three destinations—the United Arab Emirates (30.7% of export volume), Hong Kong (4.3%), and France (2.6%)—collectively accounted for just 37.6% of total exports, indicating a highly diversified market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of sheep and goat meat exports from Northern America has declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports amounted to 1.0 M $ US, showing a 6.4% loss compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 35.1%, with an average annual decline of 13.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 16.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 40.5% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value of sheep and goat meat exports from Northern America was spread across numerous partner countries. The top three—the United Arab Emirates (15.9% of export value), France (1.5%), and Australia (1.4%)—together represented only 18.8% of total flows, highlighting the broad dispersion of export markets.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

Sheep and goat meat imports into Northern America have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 23 768 t, showing a slight 2.3% rise compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, overall imports decreased by 7.3%, averaging a 2.5% annual decline. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 21 481 t, which also experienced the largest drop of 16.2%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with an 8.1% gain.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Northern America's sheep and goat meat imports were heavily concentrated on Australia and New Zealand. Together, these two countries accounted for 90.7% of total import volume, with other destinations playing a much smaller role.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of sheep and goat meat imports into Northern America has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value reached 186.3 M $ US, indicating a 1.7% increase relative to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 2.2%, with an average annual increase of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 172.6 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 5.3%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019 with a 6.2% rise.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Australia and New Zealand dominated Northern America's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms. These two markets together captured 92.5% of total import flows, while the remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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