Sheep and goat meat market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The sheep and goat meat market in Finland experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2024. Market volume fell sharply from 2 160 t in 2018 to 904 t in 2019, before recovering to a peak of 2 185 t in 2022 and then declining again to 1 330 t by 2024. The initial drop coincided with a major reduction in imports, while the subsequent recovery through 2022 was driven by rising import volumes, which offset a continuing decline in domestic production.

Finnish production of sheep and goat meat fell steadily from 316 t in 2018 to 204 t in 2024, a trend linked to decreasing lamb slaughter volumes and concentrated output in Southwest Finland and Salo. The market operated under the EU's common market organization, which set fixed import duties and tariff quotas affecting trade with countries like New Zealand and Australia. Regulatory changes, including tightened animal welfare and identification rules in 2021 and the mandatory origin labeling for restaurants introduced in May 2022, increased transparency for consumers.

Consumer demand for sheep meat weakened over the period, as food trends shifted toward poultry and beef, which were often perceived as more convenient and affordable. Sales remained highly seasonal, spiking during the Easter Lent when volumes could be over thirty times higher than in regular weeks. By 2024, updated animal welfare compensation conditions, hygiene passport requirements for workers, and the new social conditionality clause for agricultural subsidies introduced additional layers of regulation for producers.

Production sheep and goat meat in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Finland's sheep and goat meat production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 932 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 19.1% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 26.8%, with an average annual decline of 9.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 864 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 8.6% that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

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

Finland's sheep and goat meat production has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 233 tonnes, down 6.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production plummeted by 91.4%, representing an average annual decline of 55.8%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Finland

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility during this period. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 32-fold variation from the peak in 2018 to the low in 2019. In 2020, Finland exported 19 tonnes of sheep and goat meat, a dramatic increase of 2,792.7% compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at just 1 tonne, while the highest was in 2018 at 21 tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 96.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands and Sweden were the primary destinations for Finland's sheep and goat meat exports, together accounting for 86.8% of total export volumes. The remaining exports were distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility during these years. Export values peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2019, showing a 10.2-fold difference. In 2020, the value of sheep and goat meat exports from Finland reached 123 thousand US dollars, surging by 556.8% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 19 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 192 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 90.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Estonia were the main buyers of Finnish sheep and goat meat in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 45.8% of exports, Sweden for 31.4%, and Estonia for 22.3%. Together, these three countries represented 99.5% of Finland's total export value for this product.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Finland

Imports in kind, t

The import market experienced notable volatility during this period. There was a threefold variation between the highest volume in 2017 and the lowest in 2019. In 2020, Finland imported 1 300 tonnes of sheep and goat meat, a sharp increase of 97.7% year-on-year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 658 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 64.7% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Sweden were the key sources for Finland's sheep and goat meat imports by volume. New Zealand supplied 50.9% of imports, the Netherlands 13.0%, and Sweden 11.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 75.0% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Finland's imports of sheep and goat meat declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value stood at 12 552 thousand US dollars, down 14.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 30.9%, with an average annual decrease of 11.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 18 367 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 20.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 1.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Sweden remained Finland's primary partners for sheep and goat meat imports in value terms. New Zealand accounted for 59.4% of import value, the Netherlands for 13.2%, and Sweden for 6.9%. Together, these three countries represented 79.5% of total import value.

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

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