Sheep and goat meat market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

The sheep and goat meat market in Polynesia experienced considerable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 2 988 t in 2018, the market volume jumped to 4 587 t in 2019, then fell back to 3 030 t in 2020. Throughout this period, strict biosecurity requirements for imported fresh meats, including veterinary certificates, were in place to safeguard against animal diseases.

From 2021 onward, the market expanded steadily, reaching 4 670 t by 2023. This growth phase aligned with local market developments, such as the May 2022 price hike for pork and protective measures for domestic pork production, which likely encouraged consumers to seek alternative meats like sheep and goat.

Imports continued to rise in 2024, reaching 4 682 t, amid improved global meat availability from South America and Australia, supporting supply to the Polynesian market.

Production sheep and goat meat in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

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

Polynesia's sheep and goat meat production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 214.7 tons, marking a slight decrease of 1.0% from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 220.2 tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 1.5% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 at 0.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sheep and goat meat from Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. The difference between the peak in 2017 and the low in 2020 was 7.2 times. In 2020, Polynesia exported 4 tons of sheep and goat meat, representing a sharp year-over-year decline of 42.2%. The most substantial decrease was recorded in 2018 at 84.4%, whereas the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 54.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and New Zealand were the primary markets for exports in kind, together accounting for 50.4% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited significant fluctuations during this time frame. Export volumes reached their highest point in 2017 and hit their lowest in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 12.7 times. In 2020, Polynesia exported sheep and goat meat worth 8 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic 80.4% drop compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 59.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia and New Zealand led the list of markets for exports in value terms of sheep and goat meat from Polynesia, jointly making up 17.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Polynesia imported 2 819 tons of sheep and goat meat, indicating a steep 35.6% decrease from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 772 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 4 376 tons. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 57.9% rise.

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

During 2017–2020, Australia and New Zealand together accounted for 84.4% of total imports in kind of sheep and goat meat to Polynesia, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Polynesia's imports of sheep and goat meat from abroad totaled 14 294 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 6.7% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 6.4%, equating to an average annual rate of -2.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 13 819 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2019 at 15 315 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018 at 9.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 10.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was dominated by New Zealand and Australia, which together represented 94.3% of total import value; other markets contributed a smaller share.

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

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