Sheep meat production in United States
In 2024 United States produced 63,004 t of sheep meat, the 32nd largest in the world (0.55% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 14%. The record was 377,386 t in 1961.
- Production, 2024
- 63,004 t
- World rank
- 32 of 175
- 10-year change
- −14%
- Record
- 377,386 t
- 1961
Sheep meat in United States, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
United States compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.55%
- 0.78% in 2014
- kg per person
- 0.18
- world 1.41
- 10-year change
- −14%
- world +23%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Mexico | 69,327 | 0.60% |
| 31 | France | 67,960 | 0.59% |
| 32 | United States | 63,004 | 0.55% |
| 33 | Ireland | 62,970 | 0.55% |
| 34 | Kenya | 56,528 | 0.49% |
Map of world production of sheep meat
Share of the world total; United States is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 63,004 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | 61,280 | −0.8% |
| 2022 | 61,779 | −4.6% |
| 2021 | 64,773 | −0.2% |
| 2020 | 64,910 | −6.6% |
| 2019 | 69,490 | −3.2% |
| 2018 | 71,758 | +5.3% |
| 2017 | 68,130 | −3.3% |
| 2016 | 70,489 | −0.1% |
| 2015 | 70,580 | −3.2% |
| 2014 | 72,892 | −0.2% |
| 2013 | 73,074 | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 72,938 | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 69,536 | −8.9% |
| 2010 | 76,340 | −5.0% |
| 2009 | 80,377 | −1.6% |
| 2008 | 81,693 | −1.0% |
| 2007 | 82,550 | −1.6% |
| 2006 | 83,910 | −1.1% |
| 2005 | 84,820 | −4.1% |
| 2004 | 88,450 | −3.9% |
| 2003 | 92,000 | −8.9% |
| 2002 | 101,000 | −0.2% |
| 2001 | 101,200 | −4.6% |
| 2000 | 106,100 | −5.7% |
| 1999 | 112,500 | −1.2% |
| 1998 | 113,900 | −3.5% |
| 1997 | 118,000 | −2.9% |
| 1996 | 121,560 | −6.6% |
| 1995 | 130,200 | −6.8% |
| 1994 | 139,700 | −8.6% |
| 1993 | 152,900 | −3.1% |
| 1992 | 157,850 | −4.1% |
| 1991 | 164,650 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | 164,650 | +4.6% |
| 1989 | 157,400 | +3.6% |
| 1988 | 152,000 | +6.3% |
| 1987 | 143,000 | −6.7% |
| 1986 | 153,300 | −5.4% |
| 1985 | 162,000 | −6.0% |
| 1984 | 172,360 | +1.1% |
| 1983 | 170,550 | +3.0% |
| 1982 | 165,560 | +8.0% |
| 1981 | 153,310 | +6.3% |
| 1980 | 144,240 | +8.5% |
| 1979 | 132,902 | −5.2% |
| 1978 | 140,159 | −12% |
| 1977 | 159,210 | −5.4% |
| 1976 | 168,282 | −9.5% |
| 1975 | 185,972 | −12% |
| 1974 | 210,919 | −9.5% |
| 1973 | 233,145 | −5.3% |
| 1972 | 246,299 | −2.2% |
| 1971 | 251,742 | +0.7% |
| 1970 | 249,928 | +0.2% |
| 1969 | 249,475 | −8.6% |
| 1968 | 273,061 | −6.8% |
| 1967 | 293,019 | −0.6% |
| 1966 | 294,834 | −0.1% |
| 1965 | 295,000 | −9.0% |
| 1964 | 324,316 | −7.1% |
| 1963 | 349,264 | −4.8% |
| 1962 | 366,954 | −2.8% |
| 1961 | 377,386 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 2,384 t USD 13.7 m
- Exporter rank
- 24 of 82
- Imports
- 142,881 t USD 1.40 bn
- Importer rank
- 2 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 United States?
United States produced 63,004 t in 2024, 0.55% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does United States rank in the world for production of sheep meat?
United States ranked 32nd 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 United States changed?
It fell by 14% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +23% for the world. The record was 377,386 t in 1961.
Does United States export or import meat of sheep, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 United States reported exports of 2,384 t (USD 13.7 m) and imports of 142,881 t (USD 1.40 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. 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.