Chile: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Chile

In 2021, the Chilean lamb and sheep meat market decreased by -10% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, consumption recorded a abrupt slump. Lamb and sheep meat consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Chile

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a mild descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 25%. Lamb and sheep meat production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat yield in Chile reduced to X kg per head, dropping by -1.9% compared with the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the yield increased by 6.1%. The lamb and sheep meat yield peaked at X kg per head in 2020, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

The number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Chile shrank to X heads in 2021, waning by -6.6% on the year before. In general, the number of producing animals continues to indicate a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the number of producing animals increased by 16%. As a result, the number of producing animals reached the peak level of X heads. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of this number failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Chile

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -6.5% to X tons in 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 36% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports rose remarkably to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) were the main destinations of lamb and sheep meat exports from Chile, together comprising 68% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +79.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for lamb and sheep meat exported from Chile were China ($X), the United States ($X) and Brazil ($X), with a combined 64% share of total exports.

China, with a CAGR of +95.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among 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

The average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 17% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Hong Kong SAR ($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 the United States (+9.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Chile

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of lamb and sheep meat, when their volume decreased by -35% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, saw a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 604% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then fell notably in the following year.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 190% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier to Chile, accounting for a 26% share of total imports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Argentina (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Netherlands (X tons), with a 3.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Germany amounted to +69.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+1.9% per year) and the Netherlands (+59.3% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lamb and sheep meat to Chile, comprising 36% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($X), with a 9.4% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Germany amounted to +69.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (+1.5% per year) and the Netherlands (+77.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 218% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price enjoyed notable growth. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($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 Netherlands (+11.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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