Sheep and goat meat market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the sheep and goat meat market in Sri Lanka grew by 40%, rising from 4 128 tonnes to 5 779 tonnes. This expansion was not uniform, with the most significant increases occurring in 2019 and 2021, while growth moderated in 2020 and the market experienced a slight contraction in 2022 before recovering in 2023.

The market's growth was primarily fueled by a consistent rise in domestic production, which increased by 69% over the period, from 3 260 tonnes to 5 500 tonnes. In contrast, import volumes were volatile, peaking at 1 214 tonnes in 2019 before declining sharply to 279 tonnes by 2023. This shift indicates a growing reliance on local supply to meet demand.

By 2023, the market had stabilized at over 5 700 tonnes, with domestic production accounting for the vast majority of supply. The initial surge in imports earlier in the period did not sustain, and the market structure became increasingly self-sufficient.

Production sheep and goat meat in Sri Lanka

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

Sheep and goat meat production in Sri Lanka has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 920 tonnes of sheep and goat meat, marking an 8.3% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 260 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sheep and goat meat from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. From the peak in 2018 to the low in 2017, export volumes varied by a factor of 92. In 2020, Sri Lanka's cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat totaled 0.2 tonnes, representing a sharp year-on-year drop of 73.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 87.0%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018 at 9 063.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Maldives and Mali remained the primary buyers of sheep and goat meat from Sri Lanka, together accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. The period from 2018 to 2017 saw export values fluctuate by a factor of 90 from peak to trough. In 2020, the value of exported sheep and goat meat from Sri Lanka amounted to 7 000 US dollars, reflecting an abrupt 74.5% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 51 000 US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 8 858.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Maldives remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of sheep and goat meat from Sri Lanka, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Sri Lanka's sheep and goat meat imports amounted to 1 067 tonnes, down by 12.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 874 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 1 214 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 38.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia (55.6% of imports in volume), Spain (16.8%), and Romania (13.9%) were the main suppliers of sheep and goat meat to Sri Lanka, together comprising 86.4% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sri Lanka's value of sheep and goat meat imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2 801 000 US dollars, which is 14.9% lower year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 200 000 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 36.7%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 67.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Australia (67.6% of imports in value), Spain (10.0%), and Romania (8.3%) formed the core group of suppliers for Sri Lanka's sheep and goat meat imports, together representing 86.0% of total import value.

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

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