Sheep and goat meat market in Qatar

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the sheep and goat meat market in Qatar reached 65 618 tons, relying heavily on imports. The entry of Wadam Food as a key distributor of a wide range of fresh, chilled, and frozen meat strengthened supply chains. However, market volume began to decline from 2019 onwards. In 2020, the cancellation of the permit to import frozen red meat limited the inflow of cheaper frozen products, affecting overall supply. Then, in 2021, a partnership between National Poultry and the Americana group boosted poultry consumption, shifting demand away from sheep and goat meat and contributing to a sharp 28% drop in market size to 38 165 tons.

In response, Qatari authorities and companies implemented measures to support local production. In 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Trade offered free veterinary services and equipment to local sheep and goat breeders. In 2023, strategic breeding and fattening projects were launched, aiming to produce an additional 1 500 tons of red meat annually. Furthermore, in 2024, the definitive ban on frozen meat imports and price-support initiatives during Ramadan and Eid al-Adha were introduced to enhance the role of local farmers and reduce import dependency.

Production sheep and goat meat in Qatar

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

Qatar's sheep and goat meat production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 23 704 tonnes, marking a significant 13.8% drop from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 31 542 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 20.2%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Qatar

Industry analysis indicates that Qatar did not export any sheep and goat meat between 2017 and 2020.

Imports sheep and goat meat to Qatar

Imports in kind, t

Qatar's sheep and goat meat imports have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 29 628 tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 34 077 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 21.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 12.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia dominated Qatar's sheep and goat meat imports, accounting for 74.2% of the total volume. The remaining imports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Qatar's sheep and goat meat import value has fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 198.3 million US dollars, a 3.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 26.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 230.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 47.8%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, with a 10.8% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia was the dominant player in Qatar's sheep and goat meat imports by value, holding an 82.0% share of total imports. The remainder was spread across other trading partners.

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

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