Argentina: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Argentina

The Argentinian lamb and sheep meat market contracted to $X in 2021, dropping by -6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a mild downturn. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Argentina

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production dropped modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 14%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat yield in Argentina was estimated at X kg per head, approximately reflecting 2020 figures. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 12%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per head. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the average lamb and sheep meat yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Argentina; waning by -8.4% on 2020 figures. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production peaked at X heads in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Argentina

For the third consecutive year, Argentina recorded growth in shipments abroad of lamb and sheep meat, which increased by 76% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 94%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of 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, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Tunisia (X tons), China (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main destinations of lamb and sheep meat exports from Argentina, together accounting for 45% of total exports. Portugal, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Oman, Japan, France, Qatar, the UK and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 44%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Japan (with a CAGR of +745.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for lamb and sheep meat exported from Argentina were China ($X), Tunisia ($X) and Spain ($X), together comprising 40% of total exports. Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Oman, Qatar, the UK and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 45%.

Japan, with a CAGR of +750.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 7.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 20%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+14.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Argentina

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of lamb and sheep meat, when their volume increased by 395% to X tons. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 758% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a perceptible slump. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of lamb and sheep meat to Argentina, with a 38% share of total imports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Uruguay (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Brazil (X tons), with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Germany totaled +28.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Uruguay (-13.8% per year) and Brazil (-8.6% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lamb and sheep meat to Argentina, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Uruguay ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Germany totaled +27.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Uruguay (-12.1% per year) and Brazil (-25.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 2% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 113%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+10.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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