Almanassa has cited a recent report by the IndexBox agency concerning the sheep and goat meat market in Africa, which identified Libya as one of the continent’s key importers of these meats in 2024. Libya’s total imports reached 730 tonnes, placing it ahead of some African nations but behind the primary importers.
The list of leading importing nations includes Mauritius (6.2 thousand tonnes), South Africa (3.2 thousand tonnes), Algeria (3.1 thousand tonnes), Egypt (2.5 thousand tonnes), and Ghana (1.8 thousand tonnes). These countries collectively account for approximately 80% of the continent’s total imports. Libya and the remaining countries made up an additional 17% market share.
According to the report, Libyan imports were diversified, comprising frozen sheep cuts with bone, frozen boneless sheep cuts, and fresh or chilled carcasses and half-carcasses. Frozen sheep cuts with bone formed the largest segment, accounting for about 47% of Libya’s total imports, followed by boneless cuts, which totalled 4.2 thousand tonnes, and fresh or chilled carcasses and half-carcasses, which amounted to 356 tonnes.
Regarding the wider African market, the report indicated sustained growth, with total consumption reaching two million tonnes, valued at $12.5 billion, in 2024. Consumption is projected to increase to 2.1 million tonnes by 2035, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 0.8%, with the market value expected to reach $13.9 billion (1% CAGR). Algeria, Sudan, and Chad are identified as the largest consumers and producers, with Chad recording the highest growth rates in both production and consumption between 2013 and 2024.
Concerning pricing, the average import price across Africa stood at $4,978 per tonne in 2024, an 18.8% drop compared to 2023. Libya maintained its import volume despite price volatility, reflecting consistent local demand. The report noted that the continent’s imports rose by 29% from the previous year, reaching 21 thousand tonnes in 2024, driven by rising local demand. Meanwhile, African exports increased to 40 thousand tonnes, led by Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa.
