Sheep meat production in Nigeria
In 2024 Nigeria produced 162,751 t of sheep meat, the 17th largest in the world (1.41% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 17%. The record was 171,600 t in 2011.
The 2024 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2024
- 162,751 t
- World rank
- 17 of 175
- 10-year change
- +17%
- Record
- 171,600 t
- 2011
Sheep meat in Nigeria, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Nigeria compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 1.4%
- 1.5% in 2014
- kg per person
- 0.70
- world 1.41
- 10-year change
- +17%
- world +23%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | South Africa | 168,000 | 1.5% |
| 16 | Saudi Arabia | 166,976 | 1.4% |
| 17 | Nigeria | 162,751 | 1.4% |
| 18 | Ethiopia | 136,081 | 1.2% |
| 19 | Mongolia | 133,288 | 1.2% |
Map of world production of sheep meat
Share of the world total; Nigeria is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 162,751 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | 161,812 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 160,836 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 159,616 | +3.4% |
| 2020 | 154,352 | −0.2% |
| 2019 | 154,600 | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 154,044 | +2.6% |
| 2017 | 150,202 | +2.5% |
| 2016 | 146,539 | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 142,965 | +2.5% |
| 2014 | 139,478 | +2.5% |
| 2013 | 136,076 | +11% |
| 2012 | 122,923 | −28% |
| 2011 | 171,600 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 170,500 | +15% |
| 2009 | 148,809 | +2.4% |
| 2008 | 145,321 | +0.4% |
| 2007 | 144,722 | +2.3% |
| 2006 | 141,438 | +3.0% |
| 2005 | 137,302 | +2.2% |
| 2004 | 134,332 | +2.3% |
| 2003 | 131,271 | +1.0% |
| 2002 | 129,943 | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 127,820 | +11% |
| 2000 | 115,390 | +9.4% |
| 1999 | 105,490 | +11% |
| 1998 | 95,205 | +9.4% |
| 1997 | 87,010 | +27% |
| 1996 | 68,750 | +4.3% |
| 1995 | 65,890 | +6.2% |
| 1994 | 62,040 | +23% |
| 1993 | 50,600 | +4.5% |
| 1992 | 48,400 | +2.3% |
| 1991 | 47,300 | +7.5% |
| 1990 | 44,000 | +5.3% |
| 1989 | 41,800 | +5.6% |
| 1988 | 39,600 | +2.9% |
| 1987 | 38,500 | +2.9% |
| 1986 | 37,400 | +3.0% |
| 1985 | 36,300 | +4.8% |
| 1984 | 34,650 | +6.8% |
| 1983 | 32,450 | +3.5% |
| 1982 | 31,350 | +1.8% |
| 1981 | 30,800 | +9.8% |
| 1980 | 28,050 | +6.3% |
| 1979 | 26,400 | +9.1% |
| 1978 | 24,200 | +15% |
| 1977 | 21,000 | +5.3% |
| 1976 | 19,950 | +22% |
| 1975 | 16,340 | +13% |
| 1974 | 14,400 | +6.7% |
| 1973 | 13,500 | +7.1% |
| 1972 | 12,600 | +0.8% |
| 1971 | 12,500 | +3.3% |
| 1970 | 12,100 | +10% |
| 1969 | 11,000 | +16% |
| 1968 | 9,460 | −1.1% |
| 1967 | 9,570 | +7.4% |
| 1966 | 8,910 | +1.3% |
| 1965 | 8,800 | +8.1% |
| 1964 | 8,140 | +5.7% |
| 1963 | 7,700 | +7.7% |
| 1962 | 7,150 | +4.8% |
| 1961 | 6,820 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Imports
- 113 t USD 766,000
- Importer rank
- 113 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 Nigeria?
Nigeria produced 162,751 t in 2024, 1.4% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Nigeria rank in the world for production of sheep meat?
Nigeria ranked 17th 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 Nigeria changed?
It rose by 17% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +23% for the world. The record was 171,600 t in 2011.
Does Nigeria export or import meat of sheep, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 Nigeria reported no exports and imports of 113 t (USD 766,000), 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; the 2024 figure for Nigeria is imputed 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.