United Arab Emirates: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in the United Arab Emirates

The lamb and sheep meat market in the United Arab Emirates declined notably to $X in 2021, shrinking by -37.4% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a abrupt contraction. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in the United Arab Emirates

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of lamb and sheep meat in the United Arab Emirates contracted to X kg per head in 2021, waning by -3.3% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The lamb and sheep meat yield peaked at X kg per head in 2020, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in the United Arab Emirates amounted to X heads, picking up by 1.7% compared with 2020. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals, however, continues to indicate a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production peaked at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, the amount of lamb and sheep meat exported from the United Arab Emirates surged to X tons, growing by 138% compared with the previous year. In general, exports recorded a buoyant expansion. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Oman (X tons) was the main destination for lamb and sheep meat exports from the United Arab Emirates, with a 72% share of total exports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat exports to Oman exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Kuwait (X tons), fivefold. Iraq (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 4.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Oman amounted to +9.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Kuwait (+78.5% per year) and Iraq (+3.7% per year).

In value terms, Oman ($X) remains the key foreign market for lamb and sheep meat exports from the United Arab Emirates, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kuwait ($X), with an 8.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Iraq, with a 2.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Oman amounted to +9.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Kuwait (+58.5% per year) and Iraq (+1.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, waning by -31.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Oman ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Yemen ($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 (-0.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, supplies from abroad of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -7% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, imports showed a slight reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports totaled $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period 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 2014 when imports increased by 19%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Australia (X tons) constituted the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier to the United Arab Emirates, with a 47% share of total imports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat imports from Australia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Sudan (X tons), with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Australia totaled -2.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-5.7% per year) and Sudan (+24.2% per year).

In value terms, Australia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lamb and sheep meat to the United Arab Emirates, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by Sudan, with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Australia totaled +1.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-2.4% per year) and Sudan (+25.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.1%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+6.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :