Sheep meat production in China
In 2024 China produced 2.6 million t of sheep meat, the largest total in the world (22.9% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 21%. The record was 2.7 million t in 2023.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 2.6 million t
- World rank
- 1 of 175
- 10-year change
- +21%
- Record
- 2.7 million t
- 2023
Sheep meat in China, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
China compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 22.9%
- 23.3% in 2014
- kg per person
- 1.86
- world 1.41
- 10-year change
- +21%
- world +23%
Position in the world ranking
Map of world production of sheep meat
Share of the world total; China is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,640,525 | −2.5% |
| 2023 | 2,709,426 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 2,675,103 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | 2,621,800 | +4.4% |
| 2020 | 2,510,800 | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 2,486,400 | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 2,422,857 | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 2,402,457 | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 2,347,275 | +4.6% |
| 2015 | 2,243,643 | +2.9% |
| 2014 | 2,180,913 | +4.3% |
| 2013 | 2,090,490 | +1.3% |
| 2012 | 2,062,950 | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 2,029,596 | −2.0% |
| 2010 | 2,070,702 | +1.6% |
| 2009 | 2,037,093 | +1.6% |
| 2008 | 2,005,524 | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 1,966,968 | +4.9% |
| 2006 | 1,875,423 | +5.0% |
| 2005 | 1,785,306 | +5.2% |
| 2004 | 1,697,790 | +7.8% |
| 2003 | 1,574,370 | +8.9% |
| 2002 | 1,445,850 | +4.3% |
| 2001 | 1,386,180 | +2.9% |
| 2000 | 1,347,063 | +5.1% |
| 1999 | 1,281,630 | +3.4% |
| 1998 | 1,239,000 | +4.1% |
| 1997 | 1,190,000 | +19% |
| 1996 | 1,000,000 | +11% |
| 1995 | 900,000 | +15% |
| 1994 | 780,000 | +9.2% |
| 1993 | 714,000 | +9.8% |
| 1992 | 650,000 | +5.9% |
| 1991 | 614,000 | +12% |
| 1990 | 548,000 | +12% |
| 1989 | 490,000 | +19% |
| 1988 | 412,000 | +18% |
| 1987 | 350,000 | +8.7% |
| 1986 | 322,000 | +7.3% |
| 1985 | 300,000 | 0.0% |
| 1984 | 300,000 | +4.5% |
| 1983 | 287,000 | +4.4% |
| 1982 | 275,000 | +7.8% |
| 1981 | 255,000 | +2.0% |
| 1980 | 250,000 | +21% |
| 1979 | 206,000 | +18% |
| 1978 | 175,000 | +6.1% |
| 1977 | 165,000 | +6.5% |
| 1976 | 155,000 | −2.5% |
| 1975 | 159,000 | +6.0% |
| 1974 | 150,000 | +3.4% |
| 1973 | 145,000 | +7.4% |
| 1972 | 135,000 | +8.0% |
| 1971 | 125,000 | +8.7% |
| 1970 | 115,000 | +2.7% |
| 1969 | 112,000 | +1.8% |
| 1968 | 110,000 | +4.8% |
| 1967 | 105,000 | +5.0% |
| 1966 | 100,000 | +18% |
| 1965 | 85,000 | +13% |
| 1964 | 75,000 | +15% |
| 1963 | 65,000 | +18% |
| 1962 | 55,000 | 0.0% |
| 1961 | 55,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 1,588 t USD 16.6 m
- Exporter rank
- 29 of 82
- Imports
- 361,490 t USD 1.17 bn
- Importer rank
- 1 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 China?
China produced 2.6 million t in 2024, 22.9% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does China rank in the world for production of sheep meat?
China was the world’s largest producer in 2024, ahead of India.
How has the production of sheep meat in China changed?
It rose by 21% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +23% for the world. The record was 2.7 million t in 2023.
Does China export or import meat of sheep, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 China reported exports of 1,588 t (USD 16.6 m) and imports of 361,490 t (USD 1.17 bn), 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; the 2024 figure for China is estimated by FAO. 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.