Sheep Offal

Overview

Production

Country Production

Nutrition

What is Sheep Offal?

After a sheep is slaughtered, its internal organs, such as the liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, stomach, and intestines, are removed and collectively known as sheep offal. Although it is a by-product of the meat industry and not as widely consumed as muscle meat, sheep offal is an essential ingredient in many cultural cuisines and traditional dishes.

Sheep offal is abundant in protein and crucial nutrients. The liver, for instance, is particularly nutrient-dense and is an excellent source of vitamins A and B12, iron, and copper. The kidneys also offer a good amount of protein, as well as B vitamins and vitamin A. Moreover, sheep offal has collagen, a protein essential for keeping skin, joints, and bones healthy.

While sheep offal may not be as popular or widely consumed as other types of meat, it can be a valuable ingredient in certain dishes. Offal is often used in traditional dishes such as haggis, which is a Scottish dish made from sheep heart, liver, and lungs, mixed with oats and spices. Offal is also used in many other cuisines, such as French, Italian, and Middle Eastern, in dishes such as pâté, sausages, and stews.

Sheep Offal Production in the World

The global production of Sheep Offal plays a significant role in agriculture and trade. As of 2023, China is the top producer, contributing 562,520 tonnes, which accounts for 29.35% of the total global production. India ranks second, producing 143,738 tonnes, representing 7.50% of the world's output. Other significant producers include Australia, Turkiye, and Pakistan, with production levels of 108,704, 73,720, and 70,840 tonnes, respectively. Jamaica has the lowest production among the listed countries, contributing just 1 tonnes in 2023. In total, global production of Sheep Offal reached approximately 1,916,311 tonnes in 2023.

Top 10 Countries by Sheep Offal Production in 2023

Countries Ranked by Sheep Offal Production in 2023

Source:FAOSTAT
Last Updated: 23 Jan 2025

Rank	Country	Production (Tonnes)
1	China	562,520
2	India	143,738
3	Australia	108,704
4	Turkiye	73,720
5	Pakistan	70,840
6	Sudan	58,578
7	New Zealand	54,822
8	South Africa	48,571
9	Iran	46,071
10	Algeria	45,556
11	Syria	43,516
12	Mongolia	42,884
13	Morocco	41,426
14	United Kingdom	40,937
15	Chad	34,670
16	Saudi Arabia	31,078
17	Ethiopia	29,516
18	Uzbekistan	29,331
19	Nigeria	28,162
20	Russia	26,255
21	Brazil	20,750
22	Afghanistan	20,579
23	Turkmenistan	17,007
24	Kazakhstan	16,984
25	Kyrgyzstan	16,279
26	Peru	14,225
27	Mexico	11,865
28	Kenya	10,769
29	Bolivia	10,213
30	Tajikistan	10,189
31	Azerbaijan	10,030
32	Kuwait	9,832
33	Senegal	9,331
34	Tanzania	8,876
35	Tunisia	8,676
36	Yemen	8,369
37	Indonesia	8,006
38	Iraq	7,953
39	Somalia	7,758
40	Jordan	6,513
41	Burkina Faso	6,233
42	Israel	6,213
43	Argentina	6,068
44	Mauritania	5,852
45	Egypt	5,822
46	Oman	5,639
47	Serbia	5,452
48	Ghana	5,278
49	Uruguay	5,107
50	Albania	4,874
51	Bahrain	4,392
52	Libya	4,271
53	United States	3,260
54	Cuba	2,889
55	Cameroon	2,826
56	Guinea	2,672
57	Cote d'Ivoire	2,610
58	Benin	2,573
59	South Sudan	2,537
60	Niger	2,464
61	Armenia	2,422
62	Palestine	2,103
63	Togo	1,999
64	Chile	1,794
65	Namibia	1,601
66	Mali	1,424
67	Eritrea	1,388
68	Norway	1,243
69	Uganda	1,192
70	Iceland	1,173
71	Bangladesh	1,029
72	Ecuador	954
73	Ukraine	907
74	Georgia	833
75	Lebanon	697
76	United Arab Emirates	681
77	Nepal	675
78	Canada	671
79	Angola	651
80	Zimbabwe	616
81	Venezuela	615
82	Democratic Republic of the Congo	576
83	Switzerland	516
84	Central African Republic	508
85	Haiti	501
86	Bosnia and Herzegovina	499
87	Rwanda	499
88	Myanmar	462
89	Djibouti	436
90	Sierra Leone	417
91	Guatemala	405
92	Guinea-Bissau	323
93	Paraguay	310
94	Madagascar	300
95	Botswana	281
96	Malawi	279
97	Dominican Republic	226
98	Gabon	205
99	North Macedonia	202
100	Qatar	187
101	Zambia	184
102	North Korea	173
103	Montenegro	165
104	Liberia	165
105	The Gambia	141
106	Guyana	136
107	Lesotho	127
108	Burundi	118
109	Mozambique	116
110	Faroe Islands	113
111	Colombia	102
112	Belarus	100
113	Fiji	97
114	Malaysia	96
115	Republic of the Congo	92
116	Moldova	60
117	Japan	35
118	Grenada	30
119	Eswatini	30
120	Thailand	29
121	Barbados	23
122	Philippines	22
123	Trinidad and Tobago	21
124	Comoros	20
125	Equatorial Guinea	20
126	Honduras	20
127	St. Lucia	19
128	Belize	17
129	Puerto Rico	14
130	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	11
131	Cabo Verde	8
132	Papua New Guinea	7
133	The Bahamas	7
134	Brunei Darussalam	7
135	Dominica	6
136	El Salvador	6
137	Timor-Leste	6
138	Nicaragua	6
139	Bhutan	5
140	Mauritius	5
141	St. Kitts and Nevis	4
142	Suriname	3
143	Costa Rica	3
144	Singapore	3
145	South Korea	2
146	New Caledonia	2
147	Antigua and Barbuda	1
148	Sao Tome and Principe	1
149	French Polynesia	1
150	Jamaica	1

Health Benefits of Sheep Offal

Sheep offal, which includes organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs, provides several health benefits due to its nutrient content.

Here are some of the health benefits of consuming sheep offal:

High in protein: Sheep offal is a rich source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body, as well as for producing hormones, enzymes, and other molecules. Protein is also important for maintaining healthy muscles, bones, and skin.
Rich in vitamins and minerals: Sheep offal is a good source of several essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, copper, vitamin A, and vitamin B12. Iron is important for transporting oxygen in the blood, while copper is necessary for producing red blood cells and maintaining healthy connective tissues. Vitamin A is essential for vision, immune function, and skin health, while vitamin B12 is critical for nerve function and red blood cell production.
May support brain health: Sheep offal is a good source of choline, a nutrient that is important for brain health. Choline is necessary for producing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in memory, learning, and muscle control.
May improve immune function: Sheep offal contains several nutrients that are important for immune function, including zinc, selenium, and vitamin A. Zinc and selenium are essential for producing immune cells and fighting off infections, while vitamin A helps to maintain the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes, which are the body's first line of defense against pathogens.
May support joint health: Sheep offal is a good source of collagen, a protein that is important for maintaining healthy joints. Collagen provides structure and support to the cartilage, which cushions the joints and helps them move smoothly.

Moderate consumption of sheep offal as part of a balanced diet can provide various health benefits owing to its nutrient-rich composition. Nevertheless, it is essential to make sure that the offal is appropriately cooked and handled to prevent any potential foodborne diseases.

Regional Variety of Sheep Offal

Sheep offal, which refers to the internal organs and entrails of a sheep, can have regional variations in terms of culinary traditions and preferred cuts.

Here are some examples of the regional variety in sheep offal:

Middle Eastern Cuisine: In Middle Eastern cuisines, sheep offal is commonly used in dishes such as lamb liver kebabs, stuffed lamb intestines, and lamb brain preparations. These cuts are often seasoned with spices and grilled or cooked in stews.
Mediterranean Cuisine: Mediterranean cuisine also incorporate sheep offal in various dishes. Examples include dishes like lamb liver sauté, lamb heart stew, or roasted lamb kidneys. These cuts are often cooked with herbs, garlic, and olive oil.
North African Cuisine: In North African cuisines such as Moroccan and Algerian, sheep offal is utilized in traditional dishes. Popular examples include dishes like Moroccan-style lamb brain, lamb liver tagine, and lamb tripe soup. These cuts are often combined with aromatic spices, vegetables, and grains.
Central Asian Cuisine: In Central Asian cuisines like Uzbek and Kazakh, sheep offal is commonly used in dishes such as lamb liver shashlik, lamb brain sauté, and lamb kidney stew. These cuts are often marinated with spices and grilled or cooked in hearty stews.

It's important to note that the specific cuts of sheep offal used and the cooking methods employed can differ based on local culinary traditions and personal preferences within each region. Additionally, there may be further regional variations within countries and across different communities.

Nutritional Information of Sheep Offal

Sheep offal, or the internal organs of sheep, is a nutritious source of protein and essential nutrients. Here is a breakdown of the nutritional content of various sheep offal:

Sheep liver: Sheep liver is a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin B12, iron, and copper. A 100-gram serving of sheep liver provides approximately 3,000% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin A, 3,100% of vitamin B12, 32% of iron, and 85% of copper.
Sheep kidneys: Sheep kidneys are also a good source of protein, as well as vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, and B12. A 100-gram serving of sheep kidneys provides approximately 22 grams of protein, 650% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin B12, and 47% of vitamin B6.
Sheep heart: Sheep heart is a good source of protein, as well as vitamins B2, B6, and B12, iron, and selenium. A 100-gram serving of sheep heart provides approximately 20 grams of protein, 170% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin B2, 58% of vitamin B6, 2,500% of vitamin B12, 31% of iron, and 57% of selenium.
Sheep lungs: Sheep lungs are a good source of protein, as well as vitamins B2, B6, and B12, iron, and zinc. A 100-gram serving of sheep lungs provides approximately 18 grams of protein, 150% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin B2, 25% of vitamin B6, 1,700% of vitamin B12, 6% of iron, and 16% of zinc.

Sheep offal is a nutrient-dense food that can provide significant amounts of essential vitamins and minerals. However, it is important to note that sheep offal can also be high in cholesterol and other potentially harmful substances if consumed in excess. As with all foods, it is recommended to consume sheep offal in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Types of Sheep Offal

Sheep offal refers to the internal organs of a sheep that are removed during the slaughtering process. The different types of sheep offal include:

Liver: Sheep liver is a highly nutritious and flavorful organ of meat. It is a rich source of vitamins A and B12, iron, and copper. It can be used in a variety of dishes, such as liver pate, and sautéed liver, or as an ingredient in traditional dishes like haggis.
Heart: Sheep heart is a lean protein source that is rich in iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. It is commonly used in stews and soups or grilled and served as a main dish.
Lungs: Sheep lungs are a key ingredient in traditional dishes like haggis, which is a Scottish delicacy made from sheep heart, liver, and lungs mixed with oats and spices.
Kidneys: Sheep kidneys are a good source of protein and contain vitamins A and B vitamins. They are often used in dishes such as shepherd's pie, steak, kidney pie, and kidney stew.
Stomach and intestines: Sheep stomach, also known as tripe, is commonly used in soups and stews. Sheep intestines, also known as casings, are used to make sausages.

Each type of sheep offal has its unique nutritional profile and can be a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

Uses of Sheep Offal

Sheep offal, which refers to the internal organs of a sheep, has a variety of uses in culinary and non-culinary contexts. Here are some common uses of sheep offal:

Culinary uses: Sheep offal is used in a variety of traditional dishes around the world. In Scotland, haggis is a dish made from sheep heart, liver, and lungs, mixed with oats and spices. In France, pâté is a dish made from liver, and in Italy, tripe is a dish made from the stomach lining. Other common uses of sheep offal in cuisine include sausages, stews, and soups.
Pet food: Sheep offal can be used as an ingredient in pet food, particularly for dogs and cats. Offal is a good source of protein and nutrients, and some pet food companies use it as an alternative to traditional meat sources.
Fertilizer: Sheep offal can be used as a natural fertilizer. The high nitrogen content of offal makes it a valuable soil amendment for gardens and farms.
Leather production: Sheep offal, particularly the skin, can be used in leather production. The skin is treated with tanning agents to create a durable and flexible material that can be used in a variety of products, such as shoes, belts, and bags.
Traditional medicine: In some cultures, sheep offal is used in traditional medicine. For example, in China, sheep kidneys are used in herbal medicine to treat conditions such as impotence and kidney disease.

Sheep offal has a variety of uses, both culinary and non-culinary. While it may not be as commonly consumed as other types of meat, it is a valuable resource that can be used in a range of applications.