Sheep and goat meat market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Zimbabwe's sheep and goat meat production increased from 55 837 t to 75 350 t, with market volume rising correspondingly. This growth was initially supported by the Livestock Meat and Advisory Council's active role in sector dynamics and livestock breeding projects that improved stock quality through artificial insemination. In 2021, the publication of a comprehensive livestock production manual by the Ministry enhanced feeding, breeding, and disease control practices, while government targets to grow the sector value to US$3.4 billion further encouraged production expansion.

The market continued to grow despite challenges such as human-wildlife conflict causing livestock losses in 2022, which impacted supply, alongside food safety enforcement actions that removed unwholesome meat from the market. Increasing demand for meat due to population growth remained a key driver. In 2023, high production costs and raw material procurement challenges reduced meat processing capacity utilization to 30%, yet production still rose, partly supported by the commissioning of AI-enabled grain silos that improved feed supply chains and by government involvement in distribution schemes influencing market access.

Factors noted in 2024 include ongoing government focus on the livestock sector for economic transformation, the impact of drought and inflation on production, and expanded breeding programs to strengthen future supply. New regulations on meat origin labeling and continued food safety crackdowns also shape the market environment, reflecting an emphasis on quality and safety amidst evolving consumer preferences for fresh meat cuts.

Production sheep and goat meat in Zimbabwe

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

After two consecutive years of growth, Zimbabwe's sheep and goat meat production experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 62 921 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually grew by 18.6%, which translates to an average annual increase of 5.8%. The peak production level was reached in 2019 at 64 269 tonnes, with that year also seeing the most significant growth surge of 15.1%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

Zimbabwe's sheep and goat meat exports reached 129.8 tonnes in 2020, representing a 15.8% increase from 2019 levels. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports expanded dramatically by 124 420.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 975.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Zimbabwe's sheep and goat meat export market showed extreme concentration, with Mozambique accounting for the entirety of exports in volume terms at 100.0%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Zimbabwe exported sheep and goat meat worth 257.0 thousand US dollars, a 26.5% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export values surged by 70 375.2%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 789.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Zimbabwe's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms were overwhelmingly concentrated on Mozambique, which represented 99.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

Zimbabwe's sheep and goat meat imports continued their downward trend for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled just 0.4 tonnes, a 41.0% reduction from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import volumes plummeted by 94.8%, averaging an annual decline of 62.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe's sheep and goat meat imports in volume terms were completely dominated by two countries: South Africa and China together accounted for 100.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Zimbabwe's sheep and goat meat imports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 6.9 thousand US dollars, representing a 28.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values fell by 88.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 51.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa captured 99.5% of Zimbabwe's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms, establishing itself as the overwhelmingly dominant supplier in this market.

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

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