Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American lamb and sheep meat market rose markedly to $X in 2021, picking up by 6.4% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the market value increased by 7.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production rose rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 8.8%. The level of production peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Brazil (X tons), Mexico (X tons) and Argentina (X tons), with a combined 63% share of total production. Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay and Cuba lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Bolivia (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average lamb and sheep meat yield dropped to X kg per head in 2021, remaining constant against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the lamb and sheep meat yield reached the maximum level at X kg per head in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at X heads, approximately equating the previous year's figure. Overall, the number of producing animals recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the number of producing animals increased by 5%. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in overseas shipments of lamb and sheep meat, when their volume decreased by -0.8% to X tons. Overall, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 30%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports rose notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 25%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Uruguay was the main exporter of lamb and sheep meat in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 55% of total exports in 2021. Chile (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 28% share, followed by Argentina (12%). The Dominican Republic (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by the Dominican Republic (with a CAGR of +15.9%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Uruguay ($X), Chile ($X) and Argentina ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 96% share of total exports. The Dominican Republic lagged somewhat behind, accounting for a further 1.3%.

Among the main exporting countries, the Dominican Republic, with a CAGR of +8.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, 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 Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 8.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the export price increased by 12% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while the Dominican Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+0.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, approx. X tons of lamb and sheep meat were imported in Latin America and the Caribbean; declining by -8.3% against 2020. Overall, imports saw a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 21%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports stood at $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a mild setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons), distantly followed by Jamaica (X tons), Mexico (X tons), Trinidad and Tobago (X tons), Barbados (X tons) and Bahamas (X tons) represented the largest importers of lamb and sheep meat, together creating 84% of total imports. Cayman Islands (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Cayman Islands (with a CAGR of +41.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lamb and sheep meat in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 36% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Jamaica ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Trinidad and Tobago, with a 10% share.

In Brazil, lamb and sheep meat imports shrank by an average annual rate of -1.9% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Jamaica (+11.8% per year) and Trinidad and Tobago (+0.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 16%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

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 Trinidad and Tobago ($X per ton), while Cayman Islands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Trinidad and Tobago (+5.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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