Sheep meat production in South Africa
In 2024 South Africa produced 168,000 t of sheep meat, the 15th largest in the world (1.46% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 8.7%. The record was 184,477 t in 1972.
- Production, 2024
- 168,000 t
- World rank
- 15 of 175
- 10-year change
- −8.7%
- Record
- 184,477 t
- 1972
Sheep meat in South Africa, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 1.5%
- 2.0% in 2014
- kg per person
- 2.62
- world 1.41
- 10-year change
- −8.7%
- world +23%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Syria | 194,855 | 1.7% |
| 14 | Russia | 188,214 | 1.6% |
| 15 | South Africa | 168,000 | 1.5% |
| 16 | Saudi Arabia | 166,976 | 1.4% |
| 17 | Nigeria | 162,751 | 1.4% |
Map of world production of sheep meat
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 168,000 | +10% |
| 2023 | 152,500 | −5.3% |
| 2022 | 161,100 | +3.3% |
| 2021 | 156,000 | −3.1% |
| 2020 | 161,000 | −1.2% |
| 2019 | 163,000 | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 162,250 | +4.1% |
| 2017 | 155,803 | −8.0% |
| 2016 | 169,395 | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 168,200 | −8.6% |
| 2014 | 183,970 | +3.4% |
| 2013 | 177,850 | +14% |
| 2012 | 156,200 | +7.1% |
| 2011 | 145,800 | −6.8% |
| 2010 | 156,400 | −4.2% |
| 2009 | 163,200 | −0.3% |
| 2008 | 163,700 | −3.7% |
| 2007 | 170,000 | +25% |
| 2006 | 136,100 | +0.9% |
| 2005 | 134,900 | −2.9% |
| 2004 | 138,900 | +16% |
| 2003 | 120,000 | +14% |
| 2002 | 105,000 | +1.0% |
| 2001 | 104,000 | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 102,300 | −9.5% |
| 1999 | 113,100 | +14% |
| 1998 | 99,000 | +0.6% |
| 1997 | 98,400 | −7.6% |
| 1996 | 106,500 | +6.1% |
| 1995 | 100,400 | −11% |
| 1994 | 112,500 | −27% |
| 1993 | 153,500 | −8.6% |
| 1992 | 167,900 | −8.6% |
| 1991 | 183,600 | +38% |
| 1990 | 133,000 | 0.0% |
| 1989 | 133,000 | +2.3% |
| 1988 | 130,000 | +2.4% |
| 1987 | 127,000 | +15% |
| 1986 | 110,000 | −19% |
| 1985 | 135,000 | +0.7% |
| 1984 | 134,000 | 0.0% |
| 1983 | 134,000 | +0.4% |
| 1982 | 133,500 | +0.2% |
| 1981 | 133,300 | +0.2% |
| 1980 | 133,071 | 0.0% |
| 1979 | 133,071 | +4.3% |
| 1978 | 127,615 | +5.4% |
| 1977 | 121,060 | −3.3% |
| 1976 | 125,162 | +6.8% |
| 1975 | 117,147 | +6.1% |
| 1974 | 110,379 | −18% |
| 1973 | 133,911 | −27% |
| 1972 | 184,477 | +8.3% |
| 1971 | 170,343 | +7.9% |
| 1970 | 157,889 | −11% |
| 1969 | 177,000 | +15% |
| 1968 | 154,000 | +19% |
| 1967 | 129,000 | +3.2% |
| 1966 | 125,000 | +5.0% |
| 1965 | 119,000 | +16% |
| 1964 | 103,000 | +1.0% |
| 1963 | 102,000 | −2.9% |
| 1962 | 105,000 | +1.9% |
| 1961 | 103,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 12,766 t USD 75.7 m
- Exporter rank
- 11 of 82
- Imports
- 3,532 t USD 6.1 m
- Importer rank
- 40 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 South Africa?
South Africa produced 168,000 t in 2024, 1.5% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of sheep meat?
South Africa ranked 15th 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 South Africa changed?
It fell by 8.7% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +23% for the world. The record was 184,477 t in 1972.
Does South Africa export or import meat of sheep, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 12,766 t (USD 75.7 m) and imports of 3,532 t (USD 6.1 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.