ECOWAS: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in ECOWAS

For the third consecutive year, the ECOWAS lamb and sheep meat market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 7.1% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in ECOWAS

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production expanded remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 10%. The level of production peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Nigeria (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of lamb and sheep meat production, comprising approx. 49% of total volume. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Senegal (X tons), fourfold. Ghana (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Nigeria stood at +2.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Senegal (+5.2% per year) and Ghana (+3.8% per year).

The average lamb and sheep meat yield amounted to X kg per head in 2021, standing approx. at 2020. Over the period under review, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 4.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the lamb and sheep meat yield hit record highs at X kg per head in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in ECOWAS rose modestly to X heads, with an increase of 1.8% against 2020 figures. This number increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the number of producing animals increased by 6.9%. The level of producing animals peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2021, shipments abroad of lamb and sheep meat was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, saw a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 415% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports reduced to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 323%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Cote d'Ivoire represented the key exporter of lamb and sheep meat in ECOWAS, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was approx. 63% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Senegal (X tons), comprising a 35% share of total exports. Burkina Faso (X kg) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Cote d'Ivoire (with a CAGR of +12.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Senegal ($X), Cote d'Ivoire ($X) and Burkina Faso ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 98% of total exports.

Cote d'Ivoire, with a CAGR of +1.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2021, waning by -21.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 54%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat 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 Senegal ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in ECOWAS

In 2021, overseas purchases of lamb and sheep meat increased by 43% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after four years of decline. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The volume of import peaked 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 surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a noticeable setback. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Ghana was the key importer of lamb and sheep meat in ECOWAS, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 67% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), achieving an 18% share of total imports. Mali (X tons), Senegal (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to lamb and sheep meat imports into Ghana stood at -8.1%. At the same time, Nigeria (+17.8%) and Mali (+10.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nigeria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in ECOWAS, with a CAGR of +17.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-4.8%) and Senegal (-6.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Cote d'Ivoire (+3.2 p.p.), Mali (+3.2 p.p.) and Nigeria (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Ghana saw its share reduced by -8.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lamb and sheep meat in ECOWAS, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Cote d'Ivoire ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Mali, with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Ghana stood at -4.6%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Cote d'Ivoire (-1.1% per year) and Mali (+13.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Import price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% 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 decreased by -1.8% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 31%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

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

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

Source: IndexBox Platform