Goat meat market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

Greek goat meat production increased to 26 480 t in 2019 after the government introduced Joint Ministerial Decisions establishing mandatory traceability and origin labeling for meat in 2018. This regulatory move enhanced market transparency, which likely supported production growth. The market volume reached 25 195 t that year.

The sector faced a significant downturn in 2020, with production falling to 22 250 t and market size contracting to 21 105 t. Output remained stable near 22 090 t in 2021, with a corresponding market volume of 20 887 t, as no specific disruptive factors were reported to alter this trend.

A strong recovery occurred in 2022, with production surging 54.6% to 34 160 t and the domestic market expanding to 32 629 t. This growth was supported by an EU-wide observation that Greece was one of the few member states to increase its small ruminant meat output that year. However, production collapsed by 44.5% to 18 950 t in 2023, shrinking the market to 17 947 t. By 2024, new amendments to the mandatory meat labeling rules required four labels per carcass quarter to strengthen transparency, while EU reports indicated a continued decline in Greek sheep and goat meat production due to reduced slaughtering activity and limited supply.

Production goat meat in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of goat meat, 2017-2020

Greece's goat meat production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 26 480 tonnes, but then fell by 16.0% in 2020 to 22 250 tonnes. The largest annual growth occurred in 2018, with a 12.9% increase.

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

Exports goat meat from Greece

Exports in kind, t

After rising for two years, Greece's goat meat exports decreased. In 2019, exports peaked at 1 379 tonnes, but dropped by 10.2% in 2020 to 1 238 tonnes. The most significant annual growth was in 2018, with a 57.1% increase. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 58.2%, averaging 16.5% per year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Portugal were the main markets for Greece's goat meat exports by volume. Italy accounted for 32.7% of exports, Spain for 28.4%, and Portugal for 23.9%, together making up 85.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Greece's goat meat export value declined. In 2019, it reached a high of 8 648 thousand US dollars, but fell by 18.3% in 2020 to 7 064 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase was in 2018, at 44.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 31%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, Italy, and Portugal dominated Greece's goat meat exports by value. Spain held 32.0% of the export value, Italy 29.5%, and Portugal 29.2%, collectively representing 90.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports goat meat to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Greece's goat meat imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 93 tonnes, down slightly by 1.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 48%, averaging a 19.6% annual decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Spain, and Bulgaria were the primary sources of Greece's goat meat imports by volume. Austria supplied 27.4% of imports, Spain 16.5%, and Bulgaria 13.9%, together accounting for 57.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Greece's goat meat import value increased to 373 thousand US dollars, up 5.8% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 353 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 704 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019, at 49.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 32.1%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 30%, with an average annual decrease of 11.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Italy, and Spain were the key suppliers of goat meat to Greece by value. Austria accounted for 31.3% of import value, Italy for 14.5%, and Spain for 13.7%, jointly making up 59.5% of total imports in value terms.

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

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