Western Africa: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Western Africa

The West African lamb and sheep meat market expanded significantly to $X in 2021, growing by 7.2% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Western Africa

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production rose remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 8.4% against the previous year. The level of production peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Nigeria (X tons) remains the largest lamb and sheep meat producing country in Western Africa, accounting for 43% of total volume. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat production in Nigeria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Senegal (X tons), fourfold. Mauritania (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.

In Nigeria, lamb and sheep meat production increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Senegal (+5.2% per year) and Mauritania (+2.4% per year).

In 2021, the average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Western Africa was estimated at X kg per head, approximately mirroring 2020 figures. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the yield increased by 3.8% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X kg per head in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Western Africa reached X heads, picking up by 1.9% compared with 2020. This number increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the number of producing animals increased by 6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number attained the peak level in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -33.7% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 313% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports reduced notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports faced a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 151% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Cote d'Ivoire represented the largest exporting country with an export of about X tons, which recorded 63% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Senegal (X tons), making up a 35% share of total exports. Burkina Faso (X kg) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (with a CAGR of +12.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest lamb and sheep meat supplying countries in Western Africa were Senegal ($X), Cote d'Ivoire ($X) and Burkina Faso ($X), with a combined 98% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Cote d'Ivoire, with a CAGR of +1.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 16% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 150%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of lamb and sheep meat increased by 51% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after four years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a deep downturn. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a mild reduction. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Ghana was the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which amounted to 61% of total imports. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) held a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (6.7%). Mali (X tons), Mauritania (X tons), Senegal (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to lamb and sheep meat imports into Ghana stood at -8.1%. At the same time, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (+47.3%), Nigeria (+17.8%) and Mali (+10.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +47.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-4.8%), Mauritania (-5.2%) and Senegal (-6.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (+6.6 p.p.), Mali (+2.8 p.p.), Cote d'Ivoire (+1.9 p.p.) and Nigeria (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Ghana (-12.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lamb and sheep meat in Western Africa, comprising 47% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Cote d'Ivoire ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Mali, with a 7.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Ghana totaled -4.6%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Cote d'Ivoire (-1.1% per year) and Mali (+13.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Import price indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, lamb and sheep meat import price decreased by -2.7% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 32%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritania (+12.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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