Economics of small ruminant meat production and consumption in sub-Saharan Africa

Small ruminants are an integral part of traditional crop-livestock production systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Meat is one of their major products. This report looks at aggregate patterns and trends in consumption and production of and trade in small ruminant meat in the four regions of SSA (East West, central and southern). The preliminary results highlight two important points. Firstly, there are regional differences in the consumption of small ruminant meat These are differences which may be associated with variation in flock dynamics (size, structure and growth) and productivity, production constraints and trends in the production and consumption of other types of meat. Secondly, there is a strong consumer preference for sheep and goat meat in most regions of SSA, as shown by the increase in small ruminant slaughter offtake over the past two decades. In East, West and central Africa, relatively large and increasing small ruminant flocks, stable carcass yields and/or sustained production of other meats seem to have offset the potentially negative impact of high small stock offtake on flock growth and productivity. In contrast, in southern Africa growth of sheep and goat flocks is slow and carcass yield is low and slaughter offtake of other meats (e.g. beef) are declining and hence may not sustain the continuing demand for small ruminant meat in this region in coming years