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China - Lamb And Sheep Meat - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: May 1, 2025

China - Lamb And Sheep Meat - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Jul 31, 2023

China's Import of Lamb and Sheep Meat Reaches Record High of $212M in June 2023

China Lamb and Sheep Meat Imports

In June 2023, the amount of lamb and sheep meat imported into China surged to 47K tons, rising by 31% against May 2023. In general, total imports indicated resilient growth from June 2022 to June 2023: its volume increased at an average monthly rate of +5.7% over the last twelve-month period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on June 2023 figures, imports increased by +31.4% against May 2023 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports soared to $212M (IndexBox estimates) in June 2023. The total import value increased at an average monthly rate of +3.3% from June 2022 to June 2023; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

COUNTRYImport Value of Lamb and Sheep Meat in China (million USD)
Jun 2022Jul 2022Aug 2022Sep 2022Oct 2022Nov 2022Dec 2022Jan 2023Feb 2023Mar 2023Apr 2023May 2023Jun 2023
New Zealand84.289.690.991.663.774.878.587.890.810311483.0117
Australia52.268.352.963.668.681.957.458.447.048.258.864.183.1
Uruguay3.82.31.71.92.22.94.13.34.24.35.49.88.7
Others2.41.71.70.60.41.71.40.10.10.21.11.62.6
Total143162147158135161141150142156179158212

Imports by Country

New Zealand (25K tons), Australia (19K tons) and Uruguay (2K tons) were the main suppliers of lamb and sheep meat imports to China, with a combined 99% share of total imports.

From June 2022 to June 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Uruguay (with a CAGR of +9.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, New Zealand ($117M), Australia ($83M) and Uruguay ($8.7M) appeared to be the largest lamb and sheep meat suppliers to China, together comprising 99% of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Uruguay, with a CAGR of +7.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports by Type

In June 2023, frozen sheep (including lamb) cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses) (38K tons) constituted the largest type of lamb and sheep meat supplied to China, with a 80% share of total imports. Moreover, frozen sheep (including lamb) cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses) exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, frozen sheep (including lamb) boneless cuts (4.4K tons), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was held by frozen sheep (excluding lamb) carcasses and half-carcasses (3.1K tons), with a 6.7% share.

From June 2022 to June 2023, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of the volume of import of frozen sheep (including lamb) cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses) totaled +5.5%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: frozen sheep (including lamb) boneless cuts (+6.1% per month) and frozen sheep (excluding lamb) carcasses and half-carcasses (+6.4% per month).

In value terms, frozen sheep (including lamb) cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses) ($168M) constituted the largest type of lamb and sheep meat supplied to China, comprising 80% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by frozen sheep (including lamb) boneless cuts ($22M), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by frozen sheep (excluding lamb) carcasses and half-carcasses, with a 6.2% share.

Import Prices by Country

In June 2023, the lamb and sheep meat price amounted to $4,498 per ton (CIF, China), with an increase of 1.6% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in May 2023 when the average import price increased by 5% against the previous month. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $5,868 per ton in June 2022; however, from July 2022 to June 2023, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In June 2023, the country with the highest price was New Zealand ($4,622 per ton), while the price for Australia ($4,352 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From June 2022 to June 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (-1.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the market for lamb and sheep meat in China. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • FCL 977 - Meat of sheep

Country coverage:

Data coverage:

  • Market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Trade (exports and imports) in China
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE
    3. TRADE BALANCE
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. COUNTRIES WITH TOP YIELDS
    4. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    5. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION, PRODUCING ANIMALS AND YIELD

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    3. Market Value, 2012–2024
    4. Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    2. Market Value, 2012–2024
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
    7. Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2030
    10. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
    11. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
    12. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
    13. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
    14. Production Volume And Growth
    15. Yield And Growth
    16. Exports And Growth
    17. Export Prices And Growth
    18. Market Size And Growth
    19. Per Capita Consumption
    20. Imports And Growth
    21. Import Prices
    22. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    23. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    24. Producing Animals Slaughtered, 2012–2024
    25. Yield, 2012–2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    28. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    29. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    30. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    31. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    34. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    35. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    36. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    37. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

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