Beef, sheep or goat fat market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for beef, sheep, and goat fat in Belarus expanded consistently, reaching 11 427 t. This growth was supported by the development of cattle and sheep farming in private households, which increased herd sizes, and by ongoing state support programs for livestock breeding. The government's approval of a comprehensive five-year plan for domestic sheep farming development in 2019 aimed to boost production for wool, lamb, and related outputs, contributing to the sector's capacity.

In 2022, a ban on imports of these fats, effective from January 1 and requiring veterinary certificates and permits from the Ministry of Agriculture, sharply reduced inbound shipments to 43 t. Production also declined slightly that year, a movement that may reflect earlier reported reductions in overall livestock numbers. Despite these shifts, the total market volume remained nearly stable at 11 399 t, as exports also fell significantly.

Production recovered to 18 502 t in 2023, driving the market volume to 12 321 t. The import ban remained in force, keeping imports minimal at 23 t. Continued state subsidies for milk and young cattle, alongside the use of industrial crossbreeding to improve meat productivity, helped maintain domestic output levels.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

In Belarus, production of beef, sheep, or goat fat reached 17 916 tonnes in 2020, marking a modest increase of 4.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Beef, sheep, or goat fat production in Belarus increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 17 307 thousand US dollars, showing a limited uptick of 6.7% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 16.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from Belarus

Exports in kind, t

Beef, sheep, or goat fat exports from Belarus declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 7 759 tonnes, which is 6.2% lower than in the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 666 tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus's exports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in kind were heavily dependent on Russia, which accounted for 92.1% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belarus in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, Belarus's beef, sheep, or goat fat export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 7 495 thousand US dollars, which is 3.9% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 3.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 7 800 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belarus in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus's exports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in value terms were almost entirely tied to Russia, with its share amounting to 92.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belarus in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef, sheep or goat fat to Belarus

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in import volumes during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belarus imported 321 tonnes of beef, sheep, or goat fat, which is 85.6% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 37.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 100.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, Finland, and Russia formed the main cluster of markets for imports in kind of beef, sheep, or goat fat into Belarus. Denmark accounted for 58.4% of imports, Finland for 19.1%, and Russia for 9.3%, with a combined share of 86.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belarus in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values dropped to a minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, showing a 2.7-fold shift. In 2020, Belarus imported a total of 346 thousand US dollars of beef, sheep, or goat fat, up by 44.8% compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 362 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 33.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 165.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belarus in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark and Finland dominated imports in value terms of beef, sheep, or goat fat into Belarus, accounting together for 83.9% of total flows, with other destinations having smaller individual contributions.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belarus in value, 2017-2020