Sheep and goat meat market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The SADC sheep and goat meat market expanded from 883 thousand tons in 2018 to 917 thousand tons in 2019. This initial growth was supported by a reported significant increase in regional goat meat production and rising incomes that enhanced meat affordability, even though cultural preferences continued to favor lamb and mutton for specific consumer groups. Market volume then experienced a modest contraction to 897 thousand tons in 2020.

Volume recovered to 915 thousand tons in 2021, although the market value declined to 4 394 million US dollars. A sharp upturn followed in 2022, with volume rising to 971 thousand tons and value surging to 5 251 million US dollars. This expansion coincided with a global context of tight meat supplies and strong demand that elevated prices, while a persistent Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak introduced challenges for the livestock sector.

Growth accelerated further in 2023, as the market reached 1 062 thousand tons valued at 5 740 million US dollars. This period was characterized by rising global demand for goat meat, driven by health, cultural, and religious factors, which stimulated production and trade activity within the region.

Production sheep and goat meat in SADC

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

Following two years of growth, SADC's sheep and goat meat production volume experienced a decline. In 2020, the region produced 892.6 K t of sheep and goat meat, representing a year-on-year decrease of 1.9%. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 8.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.7%. The peak production level was reached in 2019 at 910.2 K t, while the most significant annual increase occurred in 2018 at 6.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

SADC's sheep and goat meat production value continued to rise for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 070 M $ US, marking a gradual increase of 6.2% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 11.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 577 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 19.9%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Sheep and goat meat exports from SADC declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 2 032 t, reflecting an 11.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 39.5%, with a CAGR of -15.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 661 t, while the most significant drop occurred in 2019 at 37.5%. The largest increase was observed in 2018 at 9.1%.

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

The partner structure for exports in kind remained fragmented during 2017–2020. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 15.3% of exports, Oman for 5.1%, and Qatar for 4.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 24.4% of total export flows, with no single country achieving a dominant share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sheep and goat meat export values from SADC declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 11 542 K $ US, down by 3.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values decreased by 50.5%, with a CAGR of -20.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, SADC's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 11.8% of export value, Qatar for 7.4%, and Iraq for 4.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented just 23.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to SADC

Imports in kind, t

Sheep and goat meat imports into SADC declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, SADC imported 6 568 t of sheep and goat meat, representing a substantial decline of 24.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 50.2%, with a CAGR of -20.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, Australia remained the dominant supplier of sheep and goat meat to SADC, accounting for 50.7% of imports in kind. New Zealand followed with 11.3%, and India with 2.9%. Together, these three countries constituted 64.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sheep and goat meat import values into SADC declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, SADC imported a total of 35 098 K $ US of sheep and goat meat, representing a substantial decline of 20.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 41.8%, with a CAGR of -16.5%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 60 343 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 0.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 26.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia remained the principal supplier of sheep and goat meat to SADC in value terms, accounting for 58.5% of imports. New Zealand followed with 11.3%, and Spain with 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented 73.0% of total import value.

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

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