Sheep meat production in Australia
In 2024 Australia produced 927,230 t of sheep meat, the 3rd largest in the world (8.03% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 29%. The record was 956,328 t in 1972.
- Production, 2024
- 927,230 t
- World rank
- 3 of 175
- 10-year change
- +29%
- Record
- 956,328 t
- 1972
Sheep meat in Australia, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Australia compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 8.0%
- 7.7% in 2014
- kg per person
- 34.7
- world 1.41
- 10-year change
- +29%
- world +23%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 2,640,525 | 22.9% |
| 2 | India | 1,292,048 | 11.2% |
| 3 | Australia | 927,230 | 8.0% |
| 4 | Turkey | 509,539 | 4.4% |
| 5 | New Zealand | 449,606 | 3.9% |
Map of world production of sheep meat
Share of the world total; Australia is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 927,230 | +9.5% |
| 2023 | 846,568 | +19% |
| 2022 | 709,932 | +7.1% |
| 2021 | 662,973 | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 657,790 | −10% |
| 2019 | 731,281 | −0.7% |
| 2018 | 736,557 | +10.0% |
| 2017 | 669,604 | −6.0% |
| 2016 | 712,525 | −1.2% |
| 2015 | 721,053 | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 720,600 | +9.1% |
| 2013 | 660,437 | +19% |
| 2012 | 554,434 | +7.3% |
| 2011 | 516,608 | −7.0% |
| 2010 | 555,206 | −13% |
| 2009 | 635,110 | −3.7% |
| 2008 | 659,512 | −3.5% |
| 2007 | 683,573 | +9.3% |
| 2006 | 625,629 | +5.1% |
| 2005 | 595,185 | +6.1% |
| 2004 | 561,000 | −6.0% |
| 2003 | 597,000 | −7.3% |
| 2002 | 644,000 | −9.9% |
| 2001 | 715,000 | +5.1% |
| 2000 | 680,000 | +8.2% |
| 1999 | 628,375 | +2.0% |
| 1998 | 616,189 | +8.8% |
| 1997 | 566,431 | −1.4% |
| 1996 | 574,298 | −7.6% |
| 1995 | 621,558 | −4.0% |
| 1994 | 647,520 | +0.6% |
| 1993 | 643,377 | −3.5% |
| 1992 | 666,891 | −0.3% |
| 1991 | 668,883 | +6.5% |
| 1990 | 627,798 | +16% |
| 1989 | 543,423 | −7.3% |
| 1988 | 586,081 | +0.3% |
| 1987 | 584,119 | +1.0% |
| 1986 | 578,258 | +12% |
| 1985 | 515,492 | +11% |
| 1984 | 464,866 | −12% |
| 1983 | 530,217 | +3.8% |
| 1982 | 510,916 | −12% |
| 1981 | 578,200 | +5.4% |
| 1980 | 548,500 | +12% |
| 1979 | 491,400 | −4.3% |
| 1978 | 513,620 | −6.5% |
| 1977 | 549,261 | −6.5% |
| 1976 | 587,720 | +11% |
| 1975 | 527,148 | +13% |
| 1974 | 467,472 | −34% |
| 1973 | 713,395 | −25% |
| 1972 | 956,328 | +16% |
| 1971 | 825,236 | +9.3% |
| 1970 | 754,925 | +11% |
| 1969 | 679,737 | +2.3% |
| 1968 | 664,497 | +11% |
| 1967 | 596,421 | −2.0% |
| 1966 | 608,439 | +2.4% |
| 1965 | 594,223 | −0.2% |
| 1964 | 595,127 | −1.3% |
| 1963 | 602,984 | +1.1% |
| 1962 | 596,276 | +2.2% |
| 1961 | 583,525 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 653,395 t USD 3.42 bn
- Exporter rank
- 1 of 82
- Imports
- 937 t USD 4.1 m
- Importer rank
- 62 of 178
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 sheep meat in Australia?
Australia produced 927,230 t in 2024, 8.0% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Australia rank in the world for production of sheep meat?
Australia ranked 3rd of 175 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 22.9% of the world total.
How has the production of sheep meat in Australia changed?
It rose by 29% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +23% for the world. The record was 956,328 t in 1972.
Does Australia export or import meat of sheep, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 Australia reported exports of 653,395 t (USD 3.42 bn) and imports of 937 t (USD 4.1 m), 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.