Australia and Oceania: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Australia and Oceania

The lamb and sheep meat market in Australia and Oceania declined slightly to $X in 2021, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Australia and Oceania

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, production reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were New Zealand (X tons) and Australia (X tons).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for New Zealand (with a CAGR of +4.8%).

The average lamb and sheep meat yield soared to X kg per head in 2021, surging by 25% on 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the yield attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Australia and Oceania; waning by -5.5% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, the number of producing animals, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, this number attained the maximum level at X heads in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in Australia and Oceania

In 2021, approx. X tons of lamb and sheep meat were exported in Australia and Oceania; rising by 30% on the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

New Zealand (X tons) and Australia (X tons) represented roughly 99.9% of total exports in 2021.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for New Zealand (with a CAGR of +6.5%).

In value terms, New Zealand ($X) and Australia ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021.

Among the main exporting countries, New Zealand, with a CAGR of +9.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Australia and Oceania amounted to $X per ton, growing by 18% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was New Zealand ($X per ton), while Australia amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+4.1%).

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in Australia and Oceania

In 2021, the amount of lamb and sheep meat imported in Australia and Oceania rose markedly to X tons, growing by 11% compared with 2020 figures. In general, imports saw a modest increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 15%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Papua New Guinea (X tons) represented the major importer of lamb and sheep meat, making up 55% of total imports. Fiji (X tons) held a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by New Zealand (9.4%) and Tonga (5.5%). French Polynesia (X tons), Samoa (X tons) and American Samoa (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Papua New Guinea experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of lamb and sheep meat. At the same time, American Samoa (+10.4%), Tonga (+6.0%), Fiji (+2.4%) and French Polynesia (+2.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, American Samoa emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Australia and Oceania, with a CAGR of +10.4% from 2012-2021. New Zealand experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Samoa (-8.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Fiji (+2 p.p.) and Tonga (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Samoa saw its share reduced by -3.8% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Papua New Guinea ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lamb and sheep meat in Australia and Oceania, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Fiji ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by New Zealand, with a 9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Papua New Guinea was relatively modest. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Fiji (+7.7% per year) and New Zealand (+4.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Australia and Oceania amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 5.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a modest expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 30%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was French Polynesia ($X per ton), while Papua New Guinea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :