Direct Marketing Lamb: Selling to the Ethnic Market

(Courtesy: South Dakota State University Meat Counter)

The non-traditional market of the American lamb industry can be broken into two market channels: 1) direct to consumers (in essence, farmers markets, on-farm sales, online) and 2) the ethnic market. Each market has its own preferences and seasonal fluctuations but can be profitable. This article will focus solely on the ethnic market portion of the non-traditional market. In the United States, our ethnic market has focused on Middle Eastern, Greek, and Hispanic cultures, but has recently recognized the consumption from other ethnic groups, including Caribbean islanders and Africans.

When to Sell

Ethnic consumers typically purchase lamb around the time of their holiday seasons (see Appendix A). The ethnic market is unique in that the dates of many holidays change from year to year. Also, some ethnic groups require certain production practices and slaughter methods. In general, the ethnic market selects lighter weight (50 to 100 pounds), leaner carcasses as opposed to traditional market or direct market consumers (100 to 150 pounds). This allows producers to raise lambs on lower-cost rations for a shorter feeding period after weaning. Some groups also require specific attributes to the lambs or kids they purchase. Muslim and Hispanic groups often prefer young, unaltered (not docked or castrated) males. The Jewish and Muslim religions require specific harvest protocols to consume meat. For the Jewish it is called Kosher and for Muslims, Halal. Both practices are performed at the commercial level, but when selling directly to these groups, they may prefer to harvest the animals themselves. Currently, on-farm slaughter is not approved by the South Dakota Animal Industry Board. Finding a processor that is willing to harvest animals according to religious laws can be challenging.

Mutton, or lambs older than 12-18 months of age, is also more popular within the ethnic market. Mexicans and Caribbean Islanders are consumers of mutton. In 2024, 31% of exported mutton in the United States went to Mexico and 16% to the Bahamas. Saint Martin, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos islands are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th largest export markets for U.S. mutton, respectively. These cultures within the U.S. still value traditional dishes. This may provide another outlet for cull ewes and rams though a potentially smaller market than selling young lambs.

Where to Sell

(Courtesy: South Dakota State University Meat Counter)

Sheep can be sold into the ethnic market through on-farm sales or through auction barns. If animals are sold on-farm, there is a chance that the prospective buyer will want to negotiate prices. Bartering between buyer and seller requires you to know the value of that animal and your breakeven plus a willingness to discuss price. Ethnic consumers will also buy from auction barns. Although animals being sold through a sale barn are not guaranteed to enter the ethnic market, prices tend to rise prior to ethnic holidays (Appendix A). The most-recognizable price increase occurs in the spring preceding Easter and Ramadan. 

Taking advantage of these price increases requires proactive planning and selling animals about two weeks prior to the date of the holiday. Keep in mind that the date of many holidays changes from year to year, which may require management changes if you are going to target these dates. For example, if you are targeting Eid-al-Fitr in 2027, you will want to have lambs weighing at least 50 pounds by February 19, 2027 (two weeks prior to the holiday). With a 90 day of age weaning, you would need to lamb around November 19, which means breeding would need to begin around June 24, 2026. You may also be able to hold early fall born lambs on a low plane of nutrition throughout the winter to meet the early spring market. Changing your production cycle each year may not always be feasible. Fortunately, the ethnic market supports the lamb market year-round.

In Summary

The ethnic market plays a crucial role in the success of the American lamb industry and is continuing to grow. Proactive planning for production cycles and on-farm sales is the key to success when accessing the ethnic market. Just like the traditional market, non-traditional consumers value high-quality, ethically raised products.

Appendix A: Ethnic Holidays Through 2029