GCC: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in GCC

The GCC lamb and sheep meat market dropped to $X in 2021, falling by -10.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate 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 GCC

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Saudi Arabia (X tons), Kuwait (X tons) and Oman (X tons), together comprising 82% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of +5.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average lamb and sheep meat yield stood at X kg per head in 2021, almost unchanged from 2020. In general, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the yield increased by 2% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per head. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the lamb and sheep meat yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in GCC contracted modestly to X heads, flattening at the year before. This number increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 5.3%. Over the period under review, this number attained the peak level at X heads in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in GCC

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of lamb and sheep meat, when their volume increased by 40% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, showed a deep downturn. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a perceptible decrease. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the major exporter of lamb and sheep meat in GCC, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was approx. 66% of total exports in 2021. Saudi Arabia (X tons) took a 21% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Oman (9.7%). Kuwait (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from the United Arab Emirates increased at an average annual rate of +7.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Oman (+29.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Oman emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in GCC, with a CAGR of +29.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Kuwait (-14.6%) and Saudi Arabia (-19.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+48 p.p.) and Oman (+9.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Kuwait and Saudi Arabia saw its share reduced by -2.8% and -55.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier in GCC, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Oman, with a 6.3% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, lamb and sheep meat exports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Saudi Arabia (-15.9% per year) and Oman (+23.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -12.1% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 26% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2020, and then fell in the following year.

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 Kuwait ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in GCC

In 2021, purchases abroad of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -9.7% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports recorded a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 16%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports declined to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the main importer of lamb and sheep meat, making up 34% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Qatar (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons), Kuwait (X tons), Oman (X tons) and Bahrain (X tons), together mixing up a 66% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Oman (with a CAGR of +2.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lamb and sheep meat in GCC, comprising 40% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Qatar ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with an 18% share.

In the United Arab Emirates, lamb and sheep meat imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Qatar (+1.9% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-7.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 4.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while Bahrain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform