Beef, sheep or goat fat market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for beef, sheep, and goat fats in Western Europe declined from 503 thousand tons in 2018 to 241.5 thousand tons in 2023, representing a reduction of more than half. After a sharp drop in 2019, the market temporarily recovered to 446.9 thousand tons in 2020 before resuming its downward trajectory.

From 2021 onward, rising input costs for energy and animal feed, combined with outbreaks of livestock diseases, pressured production and contributed to the market contraction. The Russo-Ukrainian conflict in 2022 further elevated production expenses and disrupted raw material markets, accelerating the decline.

Persistent inflation eroded household purchasing power, reducing consumption of animal fats. Simultaneously, a sustained decrease in the French cattle herd—with a loss of over 730,000 cows between 2018 and 2023—constrained domestic supply, leading to the steep fall in market volume by 2023.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Western Europe's production of beef, sheep, or goat fat has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 469 K t, which is 0.9% less than in 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.1%, with an average annual decrease of 4.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of beef, sheep, or goat fat production in Western Europe was 408.8 M $ US, marking an 11.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value dropped by 11.1%, translating to an average annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 367.2 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 568.3 M $ US. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, down 35.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018, up 23.6%.

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

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Beef, sheep, or goat fat exports from Western Europe have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 266.1 K t, up 10.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 180.0 K t, which saw the biggest decline of 24.0%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 33.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom were key buyers of beef, sheep, or goat fat from Western Europe, accounting for 9.4%, 3.6%, and 1.8% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was only 14.7% of total exports, with the remaining 85.3% spread across numerous other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, beef, sheep, or goat fat exports from Western Europe have rebounded. In 2020, export value stood at 231.8 M $ US, showing a strong 24.6% increase over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13.5%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 186.0 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market in value terms was diverse. Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom contributed 9.3%, 3.7%, and 2.6% of export value, respectively, but together they made up only 15.7% of total flows. The majority, 84.3%, went to many other countries.

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

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

Imports beef, sheep or goat fat to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Western Europe imported 243.7 K t of beef, sheep, or goat fat in 2020, a 68.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 59.9%, with an average annual growth of 16.9%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 145.0 K t, which saw the biggest decline of 9.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark were notable suppliers of beef, sheep, or goat fat to Western Europe, with shares of 13.1%, 5.5%, and 4.8% of imports in kind, respectively. Yet, their combined share was only 23.4% of total imports, indicating a broad distribution among other sources.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year drop, beef, sheep, or goat fat imports into Western Europe have increased. In 2020, imports were valued at 206.4 M $ US, up 21.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 9.6%, with an average annual increase of 3.1%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 170.5 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, down 6.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, beef, sheep, or goat fat imports into Western Europe came from a wide range of markets. The United Kingdom, Ireland, and Sweden accounted for 13.3%, 6.0%, and 2.4% of import value, respectively, but together they represented only 21.7% of total imports. The remaining 78.3% was sourced from many smaller destinations.

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

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