10 World’s Biggest Sheep Meat-Producing Countries– There are 10 World’s Biggest Sheep Meat-Producing Countries in 2021 according to data from the FAO Statistical Database (FAO Stats). These countries certainly have abundant sheep meat production. With the huge production of sheep meat, these countries can fulfill the meat consumption of their citizens and some of the meat productions export their meat production to foreign countries.
In general, sheep are classified as ruminants that can give fur and meat in relation to human needs. Taxonomically, sheep are classified in Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata (animals with backbones); Class: Mammalia (mammals); Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates); Family: Bovidae (ruminants); Genus: Ovis; Species: Ovis aries.
The World’s Production of Sheep Meat From 1980 to 2021
| Years | World’s Production of Sheep Meat |
|---|---|
| (Tons) | |
| 1980 | 5,646,954 |
| 1981 | 5,866,418 |
| 1982 | 5,887,437 |
| 1983 | 6,080,793 |
| 1984 | 6,101,586 |
| 1985 | 6,220,066 |
| 1986 | 6,222,780 |
| 1987 | 6,351,337 |
| 1988 | 6,650,744 |
| 1989 | 6,834,924 |
| 1990 | 7,032,989 |
| 1991 | 6,936,762 |
| 1992 | 6,931,468 |
| 1993 | 6,934,888 |
| 1994 | 7,034,910 |
| 1995 | 6,990,305 |
| 1996 | 6,837,010 |
| 1997 | 7,005,085 |
| 1998 | 7,249,328 |
| 1999 | 7,306,892 |
| 2000 | 7,474,877 |
| 2001 | 7,608,596 |
| 2002 | 7,490,585 |
| 2003 | 7,626,521 |
| 2004 | 7,763,578 |
| 2005 | 8,002,911 |
| 2006 | 8,210,304 |
| 2007 | 8,529,027 |
| 2008 | 8,455,076 |
| 2009 | 8,438,058 |
| 2010 | 8,385,393 |
| 2011 | 8,482,347 |
| 2012 | 8,502,038 |
| 2013 | 8,747,214 |
| 2014 | 8,991,203 |
| 2015 | 9,239,323 |
| 2016 | 9,395,001 |
| 2017 | 9,413,962 |
| 2018 | 9,529,469 |
| 2019 | 9,603,353 |
| 2020 | 9,817,036 |
| 2021 | 9,959,867 |
| Source :FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
Globally, the production of sheep meat has increased over times. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the World’s production of Sheep Meat in 1980 around 5.6 million tons. Furthermore in 2021, the World’s production of sheep meat reached 9.9 million tons. For almost 40 years, there are additional production around 4.3 million tons. Basically, the growth of human populations has driven the increasing production of sheep meat production from time to time.
Based on data from FAO in 2019, the world’s sheepmeat production is still concentrated on the continents of Asia and Africa. Sheep meat production in Asia is about 5.1 million tons (51% of the world’s total sheep meat production), followed by Africa about 2 million tons (20% of total world sheepmeat production), Europe at 1.13 million tons (1.4% of the world’s total sheep meat production), Oceania 1.18 million tons (11.9% of the world’s total sheep meat production).
The Production of Sheep Meat Based On Continent in 2021
| Continent | Production of Sheep Meat in 2021 |
|---|---|
| (Tons) | |
| Africa | 1,985,288 |
| Americas | 433,049 |
| Asia | 5,350,339 |
| Europe | 1,080,053 |
| Oceania | 1,111,138 |
| Source :FAOSTAT, 2023 | |
When viewed from the production of sheep worldwide, of course, there are several countries with the largest production of sheep meat in the world. They produce sheep meat because of the high demand for domestic sheep meat consumption. Based on statistical data reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2019, there are 10 World’s Biggest Sheep Meat-producing countries.
Table Ranking of 10 World’s Sheep Meat-Producing Countries in 2021
| Ranks | Countries | Production of Sheep Meat in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | China, mainland | 2,621,800 |
| 2 | Australia | 656,750 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 454,198 |
| 4 | Türkiye | 385,933 |
| 5 | Algeria | 342,295 |
| 6 | India | 276,379 |
| 7 | Sudan | 267,866 |
| 8 | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | 267,000 |
| 9 | Pakistan | 247,000 |
| 10 | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 238,135 |
| Source : FAOSTAT, 2023 | ||
Brief Description of the 10 World’s Biggest Sheep Meat-Producing Countries
1.China
China is the world’s biggest producer of sheep. In 2021, based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations (UN), sheep meat production in this country reached 2,621,800 tons. In this country, statistically, there are several provinces that are centers of Chinese sheepmeat production. These provinces include Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Shandong. Sheep production in 2014 is estimated at 900 thousand tons, followed by Xinjian at 500 thousand tons, and Shandong at around 340 thousand tons.
2. Australia
Australia is the 2nd biggest sheep meat-producing country in the world. In 2021, based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations (UN), sheep meat production in this country reached 656,750 tons. In this land of kangaroos, there were an estimated 65.8 million sheep in Australia in 2018–19. Geographically, the distribution of the sheep population is spread across several states, but most of the Australian sheep population is in New South Wales (34%), Western Australia (22%), Victoria (21%) and South Australia (16%). This large production of sheep is also exported to several countries such as China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, to the United States
3. New Zealand
New Zealand is the 3rd largest sheep meat-producing country in the world. In 2021, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations (UN), sheep meat production in this country reached 454,197.79 tons. Historically, sheep were introduced to New Zealand between 1773 and 1777 with credit to James Cook, the British explorer. From time to time, the population of sheep thrives to this day. Geographically, there are several sheep farming centers in the country centered on the Wairarapa, Canterbury Plains, and Otago regions. In addition, in terms of genetics, there are several types of superior sheep that are widely cultivated in this country, namely Corriedale, Zealand Romney, and Coopworth.
4. Turkey
Turkey is the 4th biggest sheep meat-producing country in the world. In 2021, based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations (UN), sheep meat production in this country reached 385,932.67 tons. In this country, there are several types of sheep that are famous and widely bred including The White Karaman, The Red Karaman, Dağliç, Awassi, and Karakul.
5. Algeria
Algeria is the 5th largest sheep meat-producing country in the world. In 2021, based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations (UN), sheep meat production in this country reached 342,295 tons. In this country based on data from Statista, in 2018, the sheep population is estimated at 28 million
6. India
India is the 6th biggest sheep-producing country in the world. In 2021, based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations (UN), sheep meat production in this country reached 276,379.25 tons. Several types of sheep are raised in Mahatma Gandhi’s home country, including Mecheri, Chennai red, Ramanadhapuram white, Meleagris and Coimbatore, and several other types of sheep scattered in various regions in India.
7. Sudan
Sudan is the 7th biggest sheep-producing country in the world. In 2021, based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations (UN), the production of sheep in this country reached 267,865.65 tons. In the country of Sudan, there are several acres for slaughtering sheep, namely El Kadaro, JIMC, Nyala, Ghanawah, Sabaloga.
8. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is the 6th largest sheep meat-producing country in the world. In 2021, based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations (UN), sheep meat production in this country reached 267,000 tons. In England, there are several main types of sheep, namely Bluefaced Leicester.
9. Pakistan
Pakistan is the world’s 9th biggest sheep meat producer. In 2021, based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations (UN), sheep meat production in this country reached 247,000 tons. In Pakistan, there are several types of sheep that are cultivated, namely Balkhi, Baluchi, Bibrik, Damani, Kajli, Kooka, Lohi, and Waziri.
10.Iran
Iran is the 10th biggest country producer in the world. In 2021, based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations (UN), the production of sheep in this country reached 238,135 tons. In this country, there are several types of sheep that are bred in Iran such as Arabi sheep, Mehraban sheep, and Taleshi sheep.
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