Sheep and goat meat market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European market for fresh, chilled, or frozen sheep and goat meat showed variable volume from 2018 to 2023. After a modest increase to 1 730 thousand tons in 2019, the market contracted to 1 616 thousand tons in 2020. A recovery followed, with the market size reaching 1 658 thousand tons in 2021, 1 691 thousand tons in 2022, and climbing to 1 774 thousand tons by 2023.

Regional shifts in consumption were observed, such as a 1.5% decline in meat consumption in France during 2023. From 2024, the regulatory landscape evolved with the introduction of mandatory origin labeling for unpackaged fresh, chilled, and frozen sheep and goat meat in Germany and across the EU, aimed at improving consumer transparency. Concurrent trends included rising import volumes to meet demand, the growing role of online sales platforms, and increased consumer focus on sustainability and Halal-certified products.

Production sheep and goat meat in Europe

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

After two years of growth, sheep and goat meat production in Europe experienced a decline. In 2020, Europe produced 1 611 K t of sheep and goat meat, representing a 6.8% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 28.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.7%. The peak production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 729 K t. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a 32.4% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of sheep and goat meat production in Europe reached 13 430 M $ US, showing a 3.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 46.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 843 M $ US. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, with a 6.6% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 51.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sheep and goat meat from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe's sheep and goat meat exports amounted to 203.9 K t, marking a 12.5% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 9.5%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 3.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 232.9 K t. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with an 8.0% rise.

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

The partner structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. Iran (2.4% of exports in kind), Hong Kong (1.8%), and Switzerland (1.2%) together accounted for only 5.5% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sheep and goat meat exports from Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 700 M $ US, reflecting a slight decrease of 2.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 3.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 797 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 3.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 9.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, sheep and goat meat from Europe was traded with numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—Switzerland, Iran, and Jordan—together represented only 5.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Europe's sheep and goat meat import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Europe imported a total of value_last_year K t of sheep and goat meat, reflecting a substantial decrease of 10.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 26.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand and Australia together accounted for the main share of imports in kind, representing 37.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Europe's sheep and goat meat import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Europe imported 2 394 M $ US of sheep and goat meat, which remained virtually unchanged from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 767 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 13.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 10.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand and Australia stood out as the main suppliers of sheep and goat meat to Europe, jointly accounting for 43.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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