Lamb Consumption by Country 2024

Lamb is an ancient dish and is considered a delicacy in most countries. Its taste is described lamb as agamy, earthy, and even pastoral. The distinct flavor is primarily because of a higher fat content, specifically, branched-chain fatty acids in the meat. Lamb is also grass feed, contributing to the earthy taste.

Lamb and mutton are consumed throughout the world. Lamp is meat from a younger sheep, usually one year and under. Mutton is meat from a more mature sheep - two to three years old.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, sheep account for roughly 5% of the world's meat consumption. Sheep meat is prominent in Mediterranean cultures, including Turkey, Greece, and Croatia. Middle Eastern countries such as Jordan, Iran, and Afghanistan consume lamb daily. Some dishes of North Africa also feature lamb. Central American and Asian dishes include it as a mainstay. And, to Australians, roasted leg of lamb roast is the 'national dish.' Lamb is less likely to be found in the United States. American settlers initially chose beef over sheep, remaining less popular than other meat options.

The top lamb consumers by country according to the OECD Annual Sheep Meat Consumption List include Greece at 12.3 kg, Kazakhstan at 8.75 kg per person, and Australia at 5.81 kg per person. In the Middle East, Turkey consumes 4.16 kg, and Saudi Arabia at 4.12 kg per person.

Israel eats roughly 2 kg of lamb per person annually. However, this was not always the case. Roast lamb was a staple at Passover until A.D. 70 when forces destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. In memory of this, Jews prohibited all roasted lamb. However, these traditions allow for other forms of preparation.

Mongolia tops the region at 45.1 kg per person consumed annually. This insatiable appetite for lamb and mutton stems from a long-standing pastoral tradition. In comparison, Americans consume only .5 kg per person yearly.