Africa: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Africa

The African lamb and sheep meat market was estimated at $X in 2021, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 9.2%. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Africa

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 11%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, leveling off in the following year.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Algeria (X tons), Sudan (X tons) and Chad (X tons), with a combined 41% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Chad (with a CAGR of +7.9%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average lamb and sheep meat yield totaled X kg per head in 2021, surging by 2.1% against 2020 figures. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the yield increased by 3.4%. Over the period under review, the lamb and sheep meat yield hit record highs at X kg per head in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure.

The global number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production totaled X heads in 2021, remaining constant against 2020 figures. This number increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the number of producing animals increased by 4.6% against the previous year. The level of producing animals peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of lamb and sheep meat were exported in Africa; increasing by 82% on the year before. Overall, exports, however, recorded a perceptible curtailment. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a noticeable contraction. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Sudan represented the key exporting country with an export of around X tons, which amounted to 50% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Kenya (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons), together creating a 40% share of total exports. Ethiopia (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and South Sudan (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

Sudan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of lamb and sheep meat. At the same time, Tanzania (+18.8%), Kenya (+12.0%), South Africa (+11.4%) and South Sudan (+8.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +18.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Ethiopia (-13.5%) and Namibia (-30.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Sudan, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania increased by +16, +14, +11 and +5.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Sudan ($X) remains the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier in Africa, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kenya ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 17% share.

In Sudan, lamb and sheep meat exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Kenya (+12.2% per year) and South Africa (+17.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 7.1% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 20%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Namibia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of lamb and sheep meat were imported in Africa; reducing by -2.8% on 2020. In general, imports recorded a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 13%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Egypt was the major importer of lamb and sheep meat in Africa, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 43% of total imports in 2021. Mauritius (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Ghana (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Algeria (X tons). All these countries together took near 38% share of total imports. The following importers - Libya (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) - each finished at a 5.3% share of total imports.

Egypt was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lamb and sheep meat imports, with a CAGR of +19.1% from 2012 to 2021. Mauritius (-3.7%), Cote d'Ivoire (-4.8%), Algeria (-6.4%), Ghana (-8.1%), Libya (-16.7%) and South Africa (-19.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Egypt (+37 p.p.) and Mauritius (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Ghana (-3.3 p.p.), Libya (-6 p.p.) and South Africa (-28.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mauritius ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lamb and sheep meat in Africa, comprising 34% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Algeria ($X), with a 9.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Ghana, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Mauritius was relatively modest. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Algeria (-8.1% per year) and Ghana (-4.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, rising by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a pronounced setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the import price increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mauritius ($X per ton), while Egypt ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritius (+3.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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