Kenya: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Kenya

After three years of growth, the Kenyan lamb and sheep meat market decreased by -8.1% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a tangible expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Kenya

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a perceptible increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 98%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

In 2021, the average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Kenya expanded notably to X kg per head, picking up by 8.7% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 83%. Over the period under review, the average lamb and sheep meat yield reached the peak level in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

The number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Kenya reduced to X heads in 2021, waning by -7.7% compared with 2020. Over the period under review, the total number of producing animals indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production decreased by -14.3% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the number of producing animals increased by 25% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production peaked at X heads in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Kenya

Lamb and sheep meat exports from Kenya soared to X tons in 2021, with an increase of 54% against 2020. In general, exports recorded a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 265%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 314%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) was the main destination for lamb and sheep meat exports from Kenya, with a 70% share of total exports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat exports to the United Arab Emirates exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Saudi Arabia (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Qatar (X tons), with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the United Arab Emirates amounted to +8.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Saudi Arabia (+38.8% per year) and Qatar (+53.5% per year).

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the key foreign market for lamb and sheep meat exports from Kenya, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Qatar ($X), with an 8.9% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the United Arab Emirates amounted to +10.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Qatar (+63.6% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+29.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -8.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bahrain ($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 Qatar (+6.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Kenya

In 2021, lamb and sheep meat imports into Kenya surged to X tons, picking up by 918% on 2020 figures. Overall, imports posted a remarkable increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a resilient increase. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) constituted the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier to Kenya, with a 81% share of total imports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat imports from the United Arab Emirates exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Tanzania (X tons), threefold. South Africa (X kg) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United Arab Emirates stood at +32.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tanzania (+101.4% per year) and South Africa (+23.8% per year).

In value terms, the largest lamb and sheep meat suppliers to Kenya were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Tanzania ($X) and South Africa ($X), with a combined 99% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Tanzania, with a CAGR of +183.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -59.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average import price increased by 24%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while the price for the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+40.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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