Goat meat market in the Netherlands, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Dutch goat meat market volume fluctuated between 1 223 t and 1 909 t from 2018 to 2023. These shifts were largely tied to export dynamics, shaped early on by EU labeling rules that enhanced traceability and by broader market-access efforts which facilitated overseas sales.

A precedent for niche meat exports set by Dutch agricultural trade initiatives in 2019 spurred a sharp increase in goat meat shipments abroad, reducing domestic availability. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought logistical disruptions and stricter certification requirements under existing traceability regulations, affecting supply chains while production rose. Throughout 2022 and 2023, reported stable consumer demand for meat helped sustain market volume even as production eased slightly.

Entering 2024, rising input and transport costs pushed goat meat prices higher. Concurrently, proposed technical amendments to national meat legislation aimed to integrate EU labeling rules, increasing administrative loads, while local policies restricting new goat farm developments began to influence regional production capacity.

Production goat meat in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of goat meat, 2017-2020

Goat meat production in the Netherlands has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 610 tonnes of goat meat, marking a 15.5% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 46.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports goat meat from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, t

The export market for goat meat from the Netherlands showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Netherlands exported 990 tonnes of goat meat, representing a 9.3% decrease from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 092 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 77.1% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Belgium were the primary destinations for Dutch goat meat exports in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 29.8% of exports, Portugal for 20.9%, and Belgium for 16.7%. Together, these three countries made up 67.4% of total goat meat exports from the Netherlands.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms also experienced volatility. Exports hit a low in 2018 and reached a high in 2019, varying by 1.8-fold. In 2020, the Netherlands exported goat meat worth 4 397 thousand US dollars, which was 12.6% lower than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 866 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 5 033 thousand US dollars. The largest year-on-year increase of 75.6% occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Belgium were the key partners for Dutch goat meat exports in value terms. Portugal represented 30.3% of exports, the United Kingdom 21.2%, and Belgium 16.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 68.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports goat meat to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, t

Goat meat imports into the Netherlands have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, imports totaled 45 tonnes, reflecting an 18.5% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 58.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 25.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Belgium, and Ireland were the leading sources of goat meat imports into the Netherlands in volume terms. Spain contributed 47.0% of imports, Belgium 32.6%, and Ireland 8.2%. Together, these three countries supplied 87.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms displayed volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, goat meat imports into the Netherlands amounted to 200 thousand US dollars, down 10.1% from 2019. The largest decline of 65.7% was recorded in 2018, while the largest increase of 5.7% occurred in 2019.

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

During 2017–2020, Spain, Belgium, and Ireland were the main sources of goat meat imports into the Netherlands in value terms, together accounting for 87.4% of total imports.

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

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