Horse, donkey and mule meat market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The horse meat market in Sweden has been structurally constrained since the 2013 horse meat scandal, which led to strict separation requirements and limited slaughterhouse capacity. Only around ten facilities in the country accept horse meat, capping domestic production. This reliance on imports is reflected in import values around 730 thousand USD in 2018 and 719 thousand USD in 2019, while production data from 2020 onward shows modest output levels.

Market size, measured in value, grew from 771 thousand USD in 2020 to 930 thousand USD in 2022. This increase occurred despite limited traceability, as an estimated 1 000–1 200 horses slaughtered annually remained largely unregistered, restricting market availability. The growth was primarily driven by a steep fall in exports. From 2023, strengthened traceability controls under the Swedish Food Agency's operational target 8 increased oversight for fresh and frozen meat, including horse meat, affecting retail and wholesale channels. This regulatory tightening coincided with a market contraction to 582 thousand USD in 2023. In 2024, new origin‑labeling rules for restaurants and large kitchens, mandating disclosure of the country of origin for meat used as an ingredient, introduced additional information requirements. Alongside continued traceability enforcement and the ongoing effect of EU Regulation 1337/2013 on origin indication, these measures contributed to a further decline in market size to 476 thousand USD in 2024.

Production horse, donkey and mule meat in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of horse, donkey and mule meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of horse, donkey and mule meat, 2017-2020

In 2020, Sweden produced 26 tonnes of horse, donkey, and mule meat, representing a sharp 95.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 98.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -73.6%.

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

Exports horse, donkey and mule meat from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 9.0 tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 49.3 tonnes, with a 5.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sweden's export volume of horse, donkey, and mule meat was 31.6 tonnes, marking a 250.8% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 81.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 446.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Finland were the key partner countries for exports in kind, together accounting for 96.1% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. The minimum value was recorded in 2017, and the maximum in 2018, with a 3.7-fold variation between them. In 2020, the value of horse, donkey, and mule meat exports from Sweden stood at 120.2 thousand US dollars, showing a 91.1% year-over-year rise. The maximum value was 192.4 thousand US dollars in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 67.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 265.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Finland and Italy remained the primary buyers of horse, donkey, and mule meat from Sweden in value terms, jointly representing 96.2% of total exports, with other countries accounting for the rest.

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

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

Imports horse, donkey and mule meat to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's imports of horse, donkey, and mule meat increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 214.0 tonnes, which is 4.9% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 57.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (33.1% of imports in kind), Italy (29.1% of imports in kind), and Finland (17.9% of imports in kind) formed the main cluster of markets for imports in kind, together accounting for 80.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sweden imported horse, donkey, and mule meat valued at [value_last_year] thousand US dollars, which is 7.9% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 38%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 29.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Belgium (49.7% of imports in value terms), Italy (17.9% of imports in value terms), and Ireland (14.2% of imports in value terms) played leading roles in the value of horse, donkey, and mule meat imports to Sweden, jointly accounting for 81.8% of total flows.

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

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