Sheep and goat meat market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sheep and goat meat in Thailand showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 5 612 tonnes in 2018, total market volume fell sharply to 3 941 tonnes in 2019, driven almost entirely by a collapse in imports. A sustained recovery began thereafter, with the market growing past 5 300 tonnes by 2022 and reaching 5 384 tonnes in 2023.

The market's rebound was evident in 2020, when volume increased by 21% to 4 773 tonnes. This growth followed the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which revived activity in the key goat meat production region of western Thailand, encompassing seven provinces. Concurrently, imports recovered to 874 tonnes, further supporting the market expansion.

In the following years, market volume stabilized at 4 772 tonnes in 2021 before climbing to 5 380 tonnes in 2022. Domestic production remained steady, ranging between 3 899 and 4 063 tonnes annually, indicating that changes in import levels were the primary driver of overall market size fluctuations during this period.

Production sheep and goat meat in Thailand

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

Thailand's sheep and goat meat production has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 3 899 tons, showing minimal change from 2019 levels.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Thailand's sheep and goat meat output was valued at 43 982 thousand US dollars, representing a 24.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 14.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 57 993 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 23.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Thailand in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sheep and goat meat from Thailand

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 45-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Thailand exported just 0.1 tons of sheep and goat meat, marking an 80.8% decline from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 tons, which also saw the largest percentage increase of 4 375.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Cambodia emerged as the primary destination for Thailand's sheep and goat meat exports, accounting for 72.3% of total export volume. Other countries collectively received the remaining 27.7%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited considerable volatility throughout these years. The highest value was achieved in 2018, while the lowest occurred in 2017, creating a 41-fold gap between these extremes. In 2020, export value totaled 1 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 85.4% reduction from 2019. The peak export value of 21 thousand US dollars was recorded in 2018, which also experienced the largest percentage increase of 4 044.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Cambodia and Laos dominated Thailand's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 82.0% of total export value. Other markets received the remaining 18.0%.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Thailand

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed irregular patterns, indicating a volatile market environment. A 58-fold variation occurred between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2019. In 2020, Thailand imported 874 tons of sheep and goat meat, representing a substantial 2 882.4% increase from the previous year. The minimum import volume of 29 tons was recorded in 2019, while the maximum of 1 696 tons occurred in 2018. The most significant decline of 98.3% took place in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and New Zealand were the exclusive sources of Thailand's sheep and goat meat imports, together accounting for 100.0% of import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import values peaked in 2018 and bottomed in 2019, with a 42-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Thailand imported approximately 9 395 thousand US dollars worth of sheep and goat meat, marking a 2 314.7% increase from the previous year. The minimum import value of 389 thousand US dollars was recorded in 2019, while the maximum of 16 459 thousand US dollars occurred in 2018. The most substantial decline of 97.6% took place in 2019.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Australia and New Zealand completely dominated Thailand's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms, together accounting for 100.0% of total import value.

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

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