Central Asia: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Central Asia

The Central Asian lamb and sheep meat market expanded rapidly to $X in 2021, surging by 5.5% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.9%. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Central Asia

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production expanded notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 11%. The level of production peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Uzbekistan (X tons), Kazakhstan (X tons) and Mongolia (X tons), with a combined 63% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Mongolia (with a CAGR of +9.3%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2021, the average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Central Asia reached X kg per head, standing approx. at 2020. Over the period under review, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the yield increased by 5.4%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per head. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the lamb and sheep meat yield remained at a lower figure.

The global number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production shrank to X heads in 2021, declining by -7.8% compared with the previous year's figure. This number increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number reached the peak level at X heads in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in Central Asia

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of lamb and sheep meat increased by 26% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a noticeable expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 254% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports posted a modest expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 323%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Kazakhstan represented the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 69% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Mongolia (X tons), creating a 28% share of total exports. Kyrgyzstan (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

Kazakhstan was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lamb and sheep meat exports, with a CAGR of +12.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Kyrgyzstan (+2.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Mongolia (-6.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Kazakhstan (+38 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Mongolia (-38.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Kazakhstan ($X) remains the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier in Central Asia, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mongolia ($X), with a 15% share of total exports.

In Kazakhstan, lamb and sheep meat exports expanded at an average annual rate of +11.8% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mongolia (-13.0% per year) and Kyrgyzstan (+2.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Central Asia amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 4.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Kyrgyzstan ($X per ton), while Mongolia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kyrgyzstan (+0.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in Central Asia

In 2021, the amount of lamb and sheep meat imported in Central Asia dropped notably to X tons, with a decrease of -23.6% against the previous year. In general, imports continue to indicate a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 210% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, posted a modest expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 102% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Uzbekistan (X tons) and Kazakhstan (X tons) represented the key importers of lamb and sheep meat in Central Asia, together recording approx. 62% of total imports. Mongolia (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 17% share, followed by Kyrgyzstan (14%). Turkmenistan (X tons) and Tajikistan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +49.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Uzbekistan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lamb and sheep meat in Central Asia, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kazakhstan ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by Mongolia, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Uzbekistan stood at +58.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kazakhstan (-8.3% per year) and Mongolia (+14.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Central Asia amounted to $X per ton, growing by 45% against the previous year. Import price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, lamb and sheep meat import price increased by +53.8% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 49%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Turkmenistan ($X per ton), while Kyrgyzstan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkmenistan (+12.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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