Sheep and goat meat market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh, chilled, or frozen sheep and goat meat in Eastern Europe expanded from 146.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 169.4 thousand tons in 2019. This growth coincided with the introduction of European-style origin labeling for meat, including sheep and goat meat, under EU Regulation No. 1337/2013, which enhanced transparency and consumer trust. Additionally, Ukrainian meat producers actively pursued export opportunities for various meat types, supporting overall livestock sector development.

Market volume stabilized around 169.9 thousand tons in 2020, as a sharp drop in exports to 7.7 thousand tons freed up supply for domestic consumption, offsetting a production decline. During this period, Ukrainian poultry meat exports to the EU contracted, reflecting broader trade adjustments that may have affected meat flows across the region.

Steady growth resumed from 2021, with the market reaching 190.5 thousand tons by 2023, while its value rose from 716 million US dollars in 2018 to 1 233 million US dollars in 2023, indicating significant price increases or a shift toward higher-value products. Continued rollout of origin labeling requirements in Ukraine further standardized market practices. Factors such as the decline in sheep and goat herds across the EU—driven by environmental pressures, rising costs, and stricter regulations—began tightening regional supply, while frozen products gained share in the meat segment.

Production sheep and goat meat in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

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

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) produced 172.9 thousand tons of sheep and goat meat, marking an 8.7% year-over-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 28.6%, with an average annual decrease of 10.6%. The lowest production level was observed in 2018 at 167.4 thousand tons. That same year saw the most significant drop of 30.8%, while 2019 recorded the largest increase at 13.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sheep and goat meat production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output value reached 924 million US dollars, representing a moderate 7.6% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value declined by 22.9%, with an average annual reduction of 8.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 803 million US dollars, which also saw the steepest decline of 33.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sheep and goat meat from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. The period featured a peak in 2018 and a low point in 2020, with a 3.4-fold difference between them. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 7 739 tons, reflecting a sharp 70.8% decrease compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 26 676 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 101.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran (34.7% of exports by volume), Italy (15.7%), and Jordan (11.2%) were the top buyers of sheep and goat meat from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Together, these three countries accounted for 61.6% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, signaling a volatile market environment. Export values peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.1-fold gap between them. In 2020, foreign sheep and goat meat supplies from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were valued at 41.4 million US dollars, representing a steep 65.7% decline compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 127.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 95.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Iran (33.2% of exports by value), Italy (15.5%), and Jordan (14.7%) remained the principal buyers of sheep and goat meat from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Collectively, these three markets accounted for 63.5% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports sheep and goat meat to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, imports reached 4 743 tons, representing a 28.7% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.1%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 650 tons, while 2018 saw the largest increase of 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

The country composition of imports by volume from 2017 to 2020 was quite dispersed. New Zealand (17.8% of imports in kind), Australia (15.0%), and Spain (9.2%) together accounted for just 42.0% of total flows, with the remaining 58.0% spread across a wide range of other destinations.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, sheep and goat meat import volumes into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, import value amounted to 29.2 million US dollars, marking a significant 31.4% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 21.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 42.6 million US dollars, while 2018 saw the largest increase of 12.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, New Zealand (29.5% of imports by value), Australia (13.4%), and Germany (7.4%) remained the key partners for imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Together, these three countries accounted for 50.3% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020