Sheep meat production in Iceland
In 2024 Iceland produced 7,966 t of sheep meat, the 77th largest in the world (0.07% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 21%. The record was 15,893 t in 1979.
- Production, 2024
- 7,966 t
- World rank
- 77 of 175
- 10-year change
- −21%
- Record
- 15,893 t
- 1979
Sheep meat in Iceland, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Iceland compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.07%
- 0.11% in 2014
- kg per person
- 20.2
- world 1.41
- 10-year change
- −21%
- world +23%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | Mali | 9,182 | 0.08% |
| 76 | Bulgaria | 8,350 | 0.07% |
| 77 | Iceland | 7,966 | 0.07% |
| 78 | Chile | 7,736 | 0.07% |
| 79 | Austria | 6,900 | 0.06% |
Map of world production of sheep meat
Share of the world total; Iceland is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7,966 | −5.2% |
| 2023 | 8,403 | −3.0% |
| 2022 | 8,659 | −7.8% |
| 2021 | 9,388 | −0.9% |
| 2020 | 9,477 | −2.5% |
| 2019 | 9,719 | −7.3% |
| 2018 | 10,487 | −1.2% |
| 2017 | 10,619 | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 10,375 | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 10,185 | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 10,100 | +2.1% |
| 2013 | 9,891 | −0.3% |
| 2012 | 9,921 | +3.5% |
| 2011 | 9,587 | +4.6% |
| 2010 | 9,166 | +3.7% |
| 2009 | 8,841 | −1.0% |
| 2008 | 8,930 | +3.3% |
| 2007 | 8,644 | −0.0% |
| 2006 | 8,647 | −1.0% |
| 2005 | 8,738 | +1.1% |
| 2004 | 8,644 | −1.7% |
| 2003 | 8,792 | +1.3% |
| 2002 | 8,676 | +0.7% |
| 2001 | 8,616 | −11% |
| 2000 | 9,735 | +13% |
| 1999 | 8,644 | +5.7% |
| 1998 | 8,176 | +3.5% |
| 1997 | 7,903 | −2.8% |
| 1996 | 8,131 | −6.4% |
| 1995 | 8,690 | −1.2% |
| 1994 | 8,798 | −0.6% |
| 1993 | 8,850 | +2.9% |
| 1992 | 8,597 | −7.6% |
| 1991 | 9,307 | −1.6% |
| 1990 | 9,454 | −1.8% |
| 1989 | 9,623 | −8.7% |
| 1988 | 10,543 | −16% |
| 1987 | 12,598 | −6.5% |
| 1986 | 13,472 | +4.6% |
| 1985 | 12,875 | −1.1% |
| 1984 | 13,015 | −5.0% |
| 1983 | 13,694 | −4.5% |
| 1982 | 14,344 | −3.0% |
| 1981 | 14,781 | +2.1% |
| 1980 | 14,479 | −8.9% |
| 1979 | 15,893 | +0.9% |
| 1978 | 15,755 | +6.6% |
| 1977 | 14,780 | +0.2% |
| 1976 | 14,755 | −3.7% |
| 1975 | 15,327 | +9.6% |
| 1974 | 13,983 | +2.0% |
| 1973 | 13,715 | +9.9% |
| 1972 | 12,478 | +11% |
| 1971 | 11,266 | −8.0% |
| 1970 | 12,242 | −5.1% |
| 1969 | 12,894 | −1.8% |
| 1968 | 13,127 | −2.5% |
| 1967 | 13,464 | +6.9% |
| 1966 | 12,599 | +1.9% |
| 1965 | 12,367 | +9.4% |
| 1964 | 11,307 | −8.1% |
| 1963 | 12,303 | −7.2% |
| 1962 | 13,258 | +2.0% |
| 1961 | 13,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 2,012 t USD 12.0 m
- Exporter rank
- 27 of 82
- Imports
- 21 t USD 274,000
- Importer rank
- 141 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 Iceland?
Iceland produced 7,966 t in 2024, 0.07% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Iceland rank in the world for production of sheep meat?
Iceland ranked 77th 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 Iceland changed?
It fell by 21% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +23% for the world. The record was 15,893 t in 1979.
Does Iceland export or import meat of sheep, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 Iceland reported exports of 2,012 t (USD 12.0 m) and imports of 21 t (USD 274,000), 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.