04/10/2025
Interesting read
BY THE NUMBERS
By Susan Schoenian
Sheep & Goat Specialist Emeritus
University of Maryland Extension
There are approximately 2.3 billion sheep and goats in the world, compared to 1.57 billion cattle and 778 million pigs (World Population Review, 2025). China is the country with the most sheep (by far), and the population continues to grow as their economy expands.
A staggering 93.4% of goats reside in Asia and Africa. India has the most goats followed by China. Many countries that have large sheep populations have small(er) goat populations and vice versa. Compared to sheep, goats probably have a larger role in livelihood sustenance.
For the first time in many years, the US sheep and goat population grew (slightly). According to the latest USDA statistics, there are 5.05 million sheep and 2.47 million goats in the US.
Texas has more sheep and goats than any other state. California and several western (range) states have the next largest sheep populations, as sheep production has traditionally been concentrated in the western US, where grazing lands are abundant.
Twenty-seven percent of sheep in the US are now hair sheep or hair x wool crosses. Notably Texas has a large hair sheep population. More than 90% of the lambs sold at Producers Livestock Auction in San Angelo are hair. The percentage is about 50:50 at New Holland Sales Stables (in PA).
Texas has more goats than sheep, as do many states in the Southeast. Approximately 79% of the US goat population is categorized as meat (or other). Seventeen percent of goats are dairy; 4% are Angora. Wisconsin has the largest dairy goat inventory.
Sheep and goat meat account for about 5% of global meat consumption. No, goat is not the most widely consumed meat in the world; pork is. Mongolians are the biggest consumers of sheep and goat meat, eating a staggering 145 lbs. per person annually.
By way of comparison, Americans eat only 1.3 pounds of lamb per year, despite consumption having increased by 40% from 2012 to 2023. The US consumption of goat was estimated to be 0.35 lbs. per capita in 2021.
Australia is the world’s largest exporter of lamb (and mutton), accounting for over 50% of sheep meat exports (in 2023). New Zealand is the second largest exporter. Australia is also the world’s largest exporter of goat meat, exporting 98% of their goat meat production (mostly feral goats).
Imports account for a large percentage of the consumption of sheep and goat meat in the US; an astounding 73% of lamb in 2024. In 2023, the US imported $1.23 billion in sheep and goat meat, making it the second largest importer in the world. Australia is the primary supplier. The US sheep and goat industry welcomes tariffs to stem the flow of cheap imports and encourage investment in domestic production.
Sheep and goat fibers represent less than 5% of the world’s fiber consumption. China is the world’s largest producer and importer of wool, whereas Australia dominates wool exports, with 80% of its production going to China for processing. South Africa and New Zealand are also major players in the international wool market.
In 2022, the US ranked 28th in wool production. South Africa produces more than 50% of the world’s mohair. At one time, the US was the second largest producer of mohair.
Those are the numbers.
Originally published in the Delmarva Farmer, April 2025
Small farm in southwestern Idaho. We raise chickens, ducks, sheep, goats, and more.
