Sheep and goat meat market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the U.S. sheep and goat meat market volume declined from 282.9 thousand tons to 271.6 thousand tons. This contraction was influenced by COVID-19-related supply-chain disruptions in 2020, which increased the industry's reliance on frozen imports and led to temporary USDA import-inspection flexibilities.

Market volume rebounded sharply to 311.0 thousand tons in 2021, primarily driven by a notable surge in consumer demand for grass-fed lamb, as reported by the USDA. However, the market shrank in subsequent years, falling to 262.5 thousand tons by 2023, coinciding with the implementation of stricter pathogen-testing standards for fresh lamb cuts and new mandatory labeling requirements under the Meat Labeling Improvement Act of 2023.

Regulatory changes consistently shaped the operating environment. Key developments included the 2020 USDA Food Code mandating country-of-origin and allergen labeling, tighter lot-level traceability rules for meat in 2021, and 2022 federal regulations requiring imported frozen carcasses to meet domestic pathogen-testing standards, affecting supply dynamics.

Production sheep and goat meat in the United States

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 the United States has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 148 233 tons, marking a 6.7% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 161 847 tons, when output increased by 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sheep and goat meat from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

U.S. exports of sheep and goat meat have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 9.6 thousand tons, representing a substantial increase of 134.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 150%, with an average annual growth rate of 35.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico accounted for 49.4% of U.S. sheep and goat meat exports by volume, followed by the Cayman Islands at 6.0% and the Bahamas at 3.8%. Together, these three destinations made up 59.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of U.S. sheep and goat meat exports has declined for the third year running. In 2020, exports totaled 17 million U.S. dollars, showing a significant drop of 14.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export values decreased by 18.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, U.S. sheep and goat meat exports by value were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Mexico led with 24.2% of the total value, followed by the Bahamas at 9.2% and the Dominican Republic at 6.4%. Combined, these three markets represented 39.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports sheep and goat meat to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

U.S. imports of sheep and goat meat have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 133.0 thousand tons, reflecting a modest rise of 4.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes grew by 8.9%, with an average annual increase of 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Australia dominated U.S. sheep and goat meat imports by volume, holding a 78.6% share of total flows. Other markets played a relatively minor role in comparison.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of U.S. sheep and goat meat imports declined in 2020. Imports totaled 1 149 million U.S. dollars, down 12.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values increased by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 149 million U.S. dollars, when imports rose by 11.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia and New Zealand were the primary sources for U.S. sheep and goat meat imports by value, together accounting for 98.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020