Thailand: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Thailand

For the third year in a row, the Thai lamb and sheep meat market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -12.3% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption showed a pronounced contraction. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Thailand

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production contracted slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then fell modestly in the following year.

The average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Thailand rose modestly to X kg per head in 2021, picking up by 1.7% on the previous year's figure. In general, the yield, however, saw a mild contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average lamb and sheep meat yield attained the maximum level at X kg per head in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Thailand reduced to X heads in 2021, waning by -2.4% on the year before. In general, the number of producing animals, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at X heads in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Thailand

In 2021, approx. X kg of lamb and sheep meat were exported from Thailand; surging by 59% against the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a dramatic descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 133%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a sharp contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 197% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Lao People's Democratic Republic (X kg) was the main destination for lamb and sheep meat exports from Thailand, accounting for a 61% share of total exports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat exports to Lao People's Democratic Republic exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Bhutan (X kg), threefold. Maldives (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Lao People's Democratic Republic amounted to -19.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Bhutan (-29.7% per year) and Maldives (-19.8% per year).

In value terms, Lao People's Democratic Republic ($X), Maldives ($X) and Bhutan ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for lamb and sheep meat exported from Thailand worldwide, with a combined 95% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Maldives, with a CAGR of -14.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat export price amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 224%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then shrank in the following year.

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 Maldives ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Myanmar ($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 Oman (+8.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Thailand

For the third year in a row, Thailand recorded decline in overseas purchases of lamb and sheep meat, which decreased by -18.3% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports dropped to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Australia (X tons) constituted the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier to Thailand, with a 67% share of total imports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat imports from Australia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, New Zealand (X tons), twofold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Australia was relatively modest.

In value terms, Australia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lamb and sheep meat to Thailand, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by New Zealand ($X), with a 29% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Australia totaled -1.8%.

Import Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 5% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 28%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while the price for New Zealand stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+15.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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