10 World’s Biggest Goat Meat-Producing Countries –Based on data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stat) in 2021, there are 10 World’s Biggest Goat Meat-Producing Countries. They have the most abundant goat population and meat production in the world. Abundant production is of course intended to meet domestic consumption needs. So far, goat meat is an alternative animal for protein nutrients in the world besides beef and chicken.


Until now, goats are one of the world’s favorite livestock. Based on data from the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), the United Nations in 2021, the total production of Worldwide goat meat in 2021 reached 6.39 million tonnes. It has increased gradually around 5.1 million tons since 1970.
World’s Production of Goat Meat From 1970 to 2021
Years | Production of Goat Meat |
---|---|
(Tons) | |
1970 | 1,293,913 |
1971 | 1,326,873 |
1972 | 1,357,168 |
1973 | 1,383,247 |
1974 | 1,418,004 |
1975 | 1,483,876 |
1976 | 1,503,561 |
1977 | 1,547,215 |
1978 | 1,627,482 |
1979 | 1,657,304 |
1980 | 1,693,540 |
1981 | 1,753,996 |
1982 | 1,823,644 |
1983 | 1,911,545 |
1984 | 1,969,399 |
1985 | 2,027,629 |
1986 | 2,111,893 |
1987 | 2,297,754 |
1988 | 2,401,359 |
1989 | 2,544,906 |
1990 | 2,665,887 |
1991 | 2,670,507 |
1992 | 2,780,362 |
1993 | 2,882,158 |
1994 | 2,993,430 |
1995 | 3,247,625 |
1996 | 3,103,380 |
1997 | 3,304,546 |
1998 | 3,533,472 |
1999 | 3,702,702 |
2000 | 3,811,299 |
2001 | 3,933,303 |
2002 | 4,065,629 |
2003 | 4,260,438 |
2004 | 4,460,574 |
2005 | 4,638,544 |
2006 | 4,669,928 |
2007 | 4,851,976 |
2008 | 4,927,972 |
2009 | 5,054,809 |
2010 | 5,148,892 |
2011 | 5,120,297 |
2012 | 5,196,476 |
2013 | 5,312,447 |
2014 | 5,438,057 |
2015 | 5,676,416 |
2016 | 5,788,238 |
2017 | 5,962,194 |
2018 | 5,996,794 |
2019 | 6,172,809 |
2020 | 6,287,978 |
2021 | 6,397,747 |
Source : FAOSTAT, 2022 |
In terms of goat meat production, from a continental production, the Asian and African continents are still the main areas for world goat meat production. Data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stat) recorded that the production of goat meat in Asia reached 4.7 million tonnes (72% of the world’s total goat meat production) and the African region reached 1.4 million tonnes (23% of the world’s total goat meat production).


If viewed in more detail by country, there are several countries in the world with the biggest goat meat production. Here are some countries with the biggest goat meat production in the world. This data was obtained from a report issued by the World Food and Agriculture Agency (FAO) in 2022.
Rank Table of the 10 World’s Biggest Goat Meat- Producing Countries in 2021
Rank | Countries | Production of Goat Meat in 2021 |
---|---|---|
(Tonnes) | ||
1 | China, mainland | 2,519,000 |
2 | India | 547,915 |
3 | Pakistan | 518,000 |
4 | Nigeria | 257,519 |
5 | Bangladesh | 229,580 |
6 | Ethiopia | 154,233 |
7 | Chad | 139,815 |
8 | Sudan | 119,217 |
9 | Mongolia | 96,535 |
10 | Türkiye | 94,555 |
Source : FAOSTAT, 2022 |
Brief Description of the 10 World’s Biggest Goat Meat Producing Countries in 2021


1. China
China is the world’s biggest producer of goat meat. Based on data from FAO, China’s goat meat production reached 2.5 million tonnes. The total production of goat meat from China is certainly the highest if it compare to goat meat production from other countries. In this Panda country, in 2021, the total goat population reached 137 million and it needs a large amount of meat production is of course intended to meet the consumption needs of the population.
2. India
India is the 2nd country as the world’s biggest producer of goat meat. In 2021, goat meat production in India reached 547 thousand tonnes. In Mahatma Gandhi’s home country, India’s meat production center spread across several states. According to data from Statista in 2019, the states include Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Specifically, the goat population in the state of Rajasthan reaches 20 million, West Bengal reaches 16 million, Uttar Pradesh reaches 14 million, and Bihar reaches 12 million.
3. Pakistan
Pakistan is the 3rd largest goat meat-producing country in the world. In 2021, goat meat production in this country reached 518 thousand tonnes. In this country, there are several famous types of goats for meat production namely Barbari, Chapper, and Teddy. Geographically, the center of Pakistan’s goat meat production is in several provinces, namely Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtun Khwa (KPK), and Balochistan.
4. Nigeria
Nigeria is the 4th biggest goat meat-producing country in the world. In 2021, goat meat production in Nigeria reached 257 thousand tonnes. Some popular goats in Nigeria are the Sahel, the Desert or West African long-legged goat, the Sokoto Red, and the West African Dwarf. In Nigeria, the goat population is concentrated in the northern region of the country. The concentration of Nigerian goats in the northern region is most likely influenced by the ecological conditions of the region which are characterized by low rainfall duration, sandy soil, and a longer dry season.
5. Bangladesh
Bangladesh is the 5th biggest goat meat-producing country in the world. In 2021, goat meat production in Bangladesh reached 229 thousand tonnes. In Bangladesh, it is estimated that the goat population reaches 30 million and most of its population loves goat meat. Of the total goat population in the country, most of the dominant goat population in this country is by Black Bengal species and only a small part of the population comes from the Jamunapari species.
6. Ethiopia
Ethiopia is the 6th biggest goat meat-producing country in the world. In 2021, goat meat production in Ethiopia reached 154 thousand tonnes. There are several types of goat species raised in this country including Shukria, Galla-Sidamo, Arusi-Bale (Gishe), Somali. In this country, about 38% of goats are carried out in dry and sandy areas.
7. Chad
Chad is the 7th biggest goat meat-producing country in the world. In 2021, goat meat production in Chad reached 139 thousand tonnes. Several types of goats that are used for meat production are Mangalme and Mongo types.
8. Sudan
Sudan is the 9th biggest goat meat producer in the world. In 2021, the production of goat meat in Sudan reached 119 thousand tonnes. Several types of goats in this area are used for meat production, namely Nubian, Desert, Taggar, and Nilotic
9.Mongolia
Mongolia is the 9th biggest producers of Goat Meat in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Goat Meat from Mongolia reached 96,535 tonnes.
Based on its species, The Mongolian Cashmere goat is the most popular goat in Mongolia and most of the goat population in Mongolia are represented by The Mongolian Cashmere goat.
10. Türkiye
Turkiye / Turkey is the 10th biggest producers of Goat Meat in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Goat Meat from Turkey reached 94,555 tonnes. Based on its regions, there are some provinces with huge population of goat in this country. These provinces include Mersin, Antalya, Adana, Siirt, Mardin, Bitlis, Diyarbakır, Şırnak, Kahramanmaraş, Muğla, Van, Isparta, and Muğla.
11. Myanmar
Myanmar is the one of the biggest goat meat producers in the world. In 2019, the production of goat meat in Myanmar reached 128,701 tons. There are 2 types of goats in Myanmar, namely the black and white goat species, which is commonly found in the areas of Nyaung Oo, Kyaukpadaung, Meiktila, Ma Hlaing municipality and the other is the red goat species, which is commonly found in Myingyan, Nahtoe Gyi, and Taungthar areas.
12. Mali
Mali is the one of the biggest goat meat-producing countries in the world. In 2019, goat meat production in Mali reached 110,764 tons. In this country, the population of goats reaches 15 million.
Source Article 10 World’s Biggest Goat Meat-Producing Countries in the World:
FAO. 2021. Production of Meat, goat: top 10 producers 2019. Accessed via http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize on August 10, 2021.
statistics. 2021. A number of goats bred in China from 2012 to 2019. Accessed via https://www.statista.com/statistics/698577/china-livestock-production-goat-breeding/ on August 9, 2021
Statista. 2021. Indian states with the highest number of goats in 2019. Accessed via https://www.statista.com/statistics/1078154/goat-inventory-by-state-india/ on 8 August 2021
Chandio, A., Rehman, A., Jiang, Y., Noonari, S. 2017. Importance of the Dairy Industry and Economic Growth in Pakistan: An Empirical Study. Journal of Applied Environmental and Biological Sciences. 7:13-20.
Bangladesh. 2021.Goat. Accessed via https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Goat on August 8, 2021
National Consultative Committee, Myanmar. National Report on Animal Genetic Resources, The Union of Myanmar. Accessed via http://www.fao.org/3/a1250e/annexes/CountryReports/Myanmar.pdf on 10 August 2021
Logtene, Youssouf & Tellah, Madjina & Khalil, Djalal & Souleyman, Mahamat. 2019. Carcass Yield of Sahelian Goats in Guera Province at Central-Eastern, Chad. International Journal of Livestock Research. 1. 10.5455/ijlr.20190619074240.
Rahmatullah, S.A., Arends, D., Reissmann, M. et al. Whole-genome population genetics analysis of Sudanese goats identifying regions harboring genes associated with major traits. BMC Genet 18, 92 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12863-017-0553-z
Banerjee, A & Animut, Getachew & Ermias, Ewnetu. 2021. Selection and Breeding Strategies for Increased Productivity of Goats in Ethiopia. Accessed via https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264869071_SELECTION_AND_BREEDING_STRATEGIES_FOR_INCREASED_PRODUCTIVITY_OF_GOATS_IN_ETHIOPIA/citation/download