Beef, sheep or goat fat market in France

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market for beef, sheep, and goat fats in France stood at 140.8 thousand tons. By 2019, market volume had fallen sharply to 103.1 thousand tons. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly disrupted meat trade flows and reduced demand, leading to a further contraction of the market to 93.0 thousand tons.

The decline continued into 2021, with market volume reaching a low of 71.3 thousand tons, pressured by rising milk prices which increased production costs in the cattle sector and broader inflationary pressures that dampened consumer demand. A recovery began in 2022 as market volume grew to 77.5 thousand tons. The Russia-Ukraine conflict disrupted global raw material supplies, but a rising share of imported beef in France supported domestic fat availability. In 2023, growth continued to 83.3 thousand tons, aided by stabilized animal feed prices and increased production, even as sheep meat consumption declined.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France ranked 10th globally in the production of beef, sheep, or goat fat.

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

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

Beef, sheep, or goat fat production in France declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, France produced 218.5 K t of beef, sheep, or goat fat, which was 0.7% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 12.3%, representing an annualized rate of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in France in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year decline, France's beef, sheep, or goat fat production increased in value. In 2020, the output was valued at 176.6 M $ US, marking a significant rise of 28.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 8.3%, with an annualized rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 137.6 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 26.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in France in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from France

Exports in kind, K t

Beef, sheep, or goat fat exports from France increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 141.4 K t, showing a modest improvement of 7.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 24.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain remained the primary buyers of beef, sheep, or goat fat from France. Belgium accounted for 47.7% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 23.9%, and Spain for 20.3%, collectively representing 91.9% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, beef, sheep, or goat fat deliveries from France amounted to 114.3 M $ US, reflecting a substantial increase of 38.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms rose by 29.8%, with a CAGR of 9.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 82.6 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain continued to be the main buyers of beef, sheep, or goat fat from France in value terms. Belgium represented 47.3% of exports, the Netherlands 24.3%, and Spain 20.1%, together accounting for 91.8% of total exports in value.

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

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

Imports beef, sheep or goat fat to France

Imports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of beef, sheep, or goat fat to France increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, France imported 15.9 K t, showing a controlled advance of 5.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.8%, with an annualized rate of 6.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 11.9 K t, which saw the largest decline of 37.9%. In 2019, imports rebounded with the largest increase of 27.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Belgium were the main sources of beef, sheep, or goat fat imports to France. Spain accounted for 32.7% of imports in kind, the United Kingdom for 25.2%, and Belgium for 22.2%, collectively absorbing 80.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's beef, sheep, or goat fat imports increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 12.9 M $ US, which was 29.3% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11.2%, with an annualized rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 9.3 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 36.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Belgium, and the United Kingdom remained the leading destinations in France's import structure in value terms. Spain represented 28.5% of imports, Belgium 24.6%, and the United Kingdom 22.7%, together accounting for 75.8% of total import flows.

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

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