Goat meat production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 12,440 t of goat meat, the 53rd largest in the world (0.16% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 16%. The record was 34,600 t in 1990.
- Production, 2024
- 12,440 t
- World rank
- 53 of 170
- 10-year change
- +16%
- Record
- 34,600 t
- 1990
Goat meat in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.16%
- 0.18% in 2014
- kg per person
- 0.19
- world 0.95
- 10-year change
- +16%
- world +29%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Greece | 14,370 | 0.19% |
| 52 | Mali | 13,336 | 0.17% |
| 53 | South Africa | 12,440 | 0.16% |
| 54 | Libya | 12,218 | 0.16% |
| 55 | Rwanda | 11,888 | 0.15% |
Map of world production of goat meat
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12,440 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 12,250 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 12,060 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | 11,870 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 11,690 | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 11,510 | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 11,331 | +1.6% |
| 2017 | 11,158 | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 10,985 | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 10,814 | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 10,700 | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 10,610 | +0.5% |
| 2012 | 10,560 | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 10,520 | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 10,470 | +1.5% |
| 2009 | 10,320 | +0.8% |
| 2008 | 10,240 | +0.8% |
| 2007 | 10,160 | +0.8% |
| 2006 | 10,080 | +4.1% |
| 2005 | 9,680 | −10% |
| 2004 | 10,810 | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 10,800 | +25% |
| 2002 | 8,620 | −0.1% |
| 2001 | 8,630 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 8,580 | +20% |
| 1999 | 7,170 | +0.7% |
| 1998 | 7,120 | −0.4% |
| 1997 | 7,150 | −1.5% |
| 1996 | 7,260 | +8.2% |
| 1995 | 6,710 | −9.3% |
| 1994 | 7,400 | −35% |
| 1993 | 11,370 | −2.4% |
| 1992 | 11,650 | +10% |
| 1991 | 10,570 | −69% |
| 1990 | 34,600 | +3.3% |
| 1989 | 33,500 | +1.5% |
| 1988 | 33,000 | +1.5% |
| 1987 | 32,500 | +4.8% |
| 1986 | 31,000 | 0.0% |
| 1985 | 31,000 | +3.3% |
| 1984 | 30,000 | +1.7% |
| 1983 | 29,500 | +1.7% |
| 1982 | 29,000 | +1.8% |
| 1981 | 28,500 | +0.4% |
| 1980 | 28,400 | +0.7% |
| 1979 | 28,200 | +0.7% |
| 1978 | 28,000 | +3.3% |
| 1977 | 27,100 | +1.9% |
| 1976 | 26,600 | +0.9% |
| 1975 | 26,350 | +1.3% |
| 1974 | 26,000 | +2.8% |
| 1973 | 25,300 | +1.2% |
| 1972 | 25,000 | 0.0% |
| 1971 | 25,000 | +4.2% |
| 1970 | 24,000 | 0.0% |
| 1969 | 24,000 | +4.3% |
| 1968 | 23,000 | 0.0% |
| 1967 | 23,000 | 0.0% |
| 1966 | 23,000 | +4.5% |
| 1965 | 22,000 | 0.0% |
| 1964 | 22,000 | +4.8% |
| 1963 | 21,000 | +11% |
| 1962 | 19,000 | −5.0% |
| 1961 | 20,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 310 t USD 134,000
- Exporter rank
- 13 of 41
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of goat meat in South Africa?
South Africa produced 12,440 t in 2024, 0.16% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of goat meat?
South Africa ranked 53rd of 170 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 32.8% of the world total.
How has the production of goat meat in South Africa changed?
It rose by 16% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +29% for the world. The record was 34,600 t in 1990.
Does South Africa export or import meat of goat, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 310 t (USD 134,000) and no imports, according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.