Sheep meat production in Iran
In 2024 Iran produced 236,074 t of sheep meat, the 12th largest in the world (2.05% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 14%. The record was 345,020 t in 2002.
The 2024 figure is estimated by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 236,074 t
- World rank
- 12 of 175
- 10-year change
- −14%
- Record
- 345,020 t
- 2002
Sheep meat in Iran, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Iran compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 2.0%
- 2.9% in 2014
- kg per person
- 2.58
- world 1.41
- 10-year change
- −14%
- world +23%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Chad | 258,922 | 2.2% |
| 11 | Pakistan | 256,036 | 2.2% |
| 12 | Iran | 236,074 | 2.0% |
| 13 | Syria | 194,855 | 1.7% |
| 14 | Russia | 188,214 | 1.6% |
Map of world production of sheep meat
Share of the world total; Iran is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 236,074 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | 234,227 | −8.1% |
| 2022 | 254,832 | +7.0% |
| 2021 | 238,135 | +57% |
| 2020 | 151,875 | +30% |
| 2019 | 116,484 | −26% |
| 2018 | 157,253 | −34% |
| 2017 | 237,599 | −15% |
| 2016 | 280,070 | −8.2% |
| 2015 | 305,046 | +11% |
| 2014 | 276,000 | +6.2% |
| 2013 | 260,000 | −5.3% |
| 2012 | 274,600 | +0.8% |
| 2011 | 272,321 | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 271,349 | +4.2% |
| 2009 | 260,320 | +3.0% |
| 2008 | 252,664 | −24% |
| 2007 | 331,600 | +4.2% |
| 2006 | 318,300 | +1.0% |
| 2005 | 315,000 | +1.0% |
| 2004 | 311,900 | +2.5% |
| 2003 | 304,270 | −12% |
| 2002 | 345,020 | +3.7% |
| 2001 | 332,610 | +2.0% |
| 2000 | 326,166 | +11% |
| 1999 | 293,000 | −5.2% |
| 1998 | 309,000 | +2.7% |
| 1997 | 301,000 | +7.5% |
| 1996 | 280,000 | +1.4% |
| 1995 | 276,000 | +1.8% |
| 1994 | 271,000 | +2.3% |
| 1993 | 265,000 | +3.1% |
| 1992 | 257,000 | +5.3% |
| 1991 | 244,000 | +2.5% |
| 1990 | 238,000 | +9.2% |
| 1989 | 218,000 | +2.8% |
| 1988 | 212,000 | +1.9% |
| 1987 | 208,000 | +1.5% |
| 1986 | 205,000 | +6.8% |
| 1985 | 192,000 | +5.5% |
| 1984 | 182,000 | +5.2% |
| 1983 | 173,000 | +4.2% |
| 1982 | 166,000 | +6.4% |
| 1981 | 156,000 | +2.6% |
| 1980 | 152,000 | −14% |
| 1979 | 176,000 | +16% |
| 1978 | 152,000 | +3.4% |
| 1977 | 147,000 | +8.1% |
| 1976 | 136,000 | +5.0% |
| 1975 | 129,500 | +0.4% |
| 1974 | 129,000 | +3.2% |
| 1973 | 125,000 | 0.0% |
| 1972 | 125,000 | 0.0% |
| 1971 | 125,000 | 0.0% |
| 1970 | 125,000 | 0.0% |
| 1969 | 125,000 | +0.4% |
| 1968 | 124,500 | +2.0% |
| 1967 | 122,000 | +3.0% |
| 1966 | 118,500 | +3.0% |
| 1965 | 115,000 | 0.0% |
| 1964 | 115,000 | +1.3% |
| 1963 | 113,500 | +0.4% |
| 1962 | 113,000 | −3.4% |
| 1961 | 117,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Imports
- 33,645 t USD 207 m
- Importer rank
- 9 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 Iran?
Iran produced 236,074 t in 2024, 2.0% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Iran rank in the world for production of sheep meat?
Iran ranked 12th 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 Iran changed?
It fell by 14% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +23% for the world. The record was 345,020 t in 2002.
Does Iran export or import meat of sheep, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 Iran reported no exports and imports of 33,645 t (USD 207 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; the 2024 figure for Iran 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.