Sheep and goat meat market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sheep and goat meat in Belgium contracted significantly from over 19 000 t in 2018 to approximately 11 500 t by 2023. This downward trajectory was interrupted only in 2020 when volume temporarily rose to 18 419 t.

A key driver behind the decline was the drop in imports, which became particularly pronounced from 2021 onward. That year, a 15% rise in global frozen sheep meat import prices made foreign supplies more expensive, reducing Belgium's inbound shipments. At the same time, exports continued their multi-year slide, reflecting a diminished international footprint for Belgian product.

Domestic production also followed a declining trend, accelerating after 2021. The absence of major internal market shifts—such as new players, large facility openings, or regulatory changes—meant that the market primarily responded to external price signals and global conditions.

Production sheep and goat meat in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

Belgium's sheep and goat meat production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 K t, marking a moderate 3.3% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Belgium's sheep and goat meat exports continued their downward trend for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 6 956 t, showing a significant 17.5% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 34.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were Belgium's key export partners for sheep and goat meat, accounting for 27.5%, 23.3%, and 19.9% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 70.8% of Belgium's total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms fell for the third year running. In 2020, exports totaled 63.9 M $ US, reflecting a sharp 22.6% year-on-year decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 38.8%, with an average annual decline of 15.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the largest buyers of Belgian sheep and goat meat in value terms, with shares of 26.3%, 25.0%, and 20.1%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 71.4% of Belgium's total export value.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's sheep and goat meat imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 19 435 t, a slight decrease of 1.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 8.6%, with an average annual decline of 3.0%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 21 807 t, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 9.8% decrease, and the highest increase was in 2018 at 2.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Ireland were the main suppliers of sheep and goat meat to Belgium, contributing 34.8%, 22.9%, and 18.5% of imports in volume, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 76.3% of Belgium's total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms reached 179.5 M $ US, showing a marginal 0.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 9.4%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 178.5 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 223.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 20.3% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Ireland formed the core of Belgium's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms, with shares of 30.1%, 25.5%, and 17.2%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 72.9% of Belgium's total import value.

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

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