Sheep and goat meat market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek sheep and goat meat market demonstrated initial resilience, reaching a peak of 178.8 thousand tonnes in 2019, supported by the consistent presence of state-owned and cooperative producers. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant supply chain disruptions, leading to a market contraction to 163.3 thousand tonnes.

In the following years, the market showed a volatile recovery path. Despite facing global supply chain challenges and increased input prices, the market volume grew to 166.0 thousand tonnes in 2021 and expanded significantly to 183.0 thousand tonnes by 2022. During this period, consumer preferences also evolved, with a noted shift towards safer and more packaged products.

The trend reversed sharply in 2023, with the market volume falling to 146.3 thousand tonnes, marking the lowest point in the observed period.

Production sheep and goat meat in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece ranked as the world's 30th largest producer of sheep and goat meat by volume.

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

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

Following two years of growth, Greece's sheep and goat meat production declined in 2020. The country produced 166 K t that year, marking a 7.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 9.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.0%. The peak production volume of 180 K t was reached in 2019, while the most significant annual increase of 14.9% occurred in 2018.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Greece

Exports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of expansion, Greece's sheep and goat meat exports decreased in 2020. Export volumes reached 6 862 t that year, down 3.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 28.3%, translating to an average annual rate of 8.7%. The highest export volume of 7 076 t was recorded in 2019, with the largest annual surge of 25.9% taking place in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, Italy, Spain, and Cyprus remained Greece's primary markets for sheep and goat meat exports by volume. Italy accounted for 41.4% of exports, Spain for 26.4%, and Cyprus for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 78.0% of Greece's total sheep and goat meat exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of Greece's sheep and goat meat exports declined in 2020. Export earnings totaled 41 955 K $ US that year, reflecting a 7.3% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export values increased by 21.3%, averaging 6.7% annual growth. The peak value of 45 279 K $ US was achieved in 2019, while the most substantial annual increase of 20.3% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and Portugal continued to be the leading destinations for Greece's sheep and goat meat exports by value. Italy represented 42.4% of export earnings, Spain 29.7%, and Portugal 10.2%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 82.4% of Greece's total sheep and goat meat export value.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Greece's sheep and goat meat imports declined for the second straight year in 2020. Import volumes stood at 4 440 t, representing a sharp 26.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 33.1%, with an average annual decline of 12.6%. The highest import volume of 6 817 t was recorded in 2018, which also saw a modest increase of 2.7% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand, Romania, and Spain were the main sources of Greece's sheep and goat meat imports by volume. New Zealand supplied 42.7% of imports, Romania 32.1%, and Spain 10.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 85.3% of Greece's total sheep and goat meat import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

For the second consecutive year, the value of Greece's sheep and goat meat imports declined in 2020. Import spending reached 19 536 K $ US, down 33.2% from the previous year. During the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 32.9%, averaging an annual decline of 12.4%. The peak import value of 36 585 K $ US was recorded in 2018, which also experienced a 25.7% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, Romania, and Spain dominated Greece's sheep and goat meat imports by value. New Zealand accounted for 57.9% of import spending, Romania for 18.0%, and Spain for 7.2%. These three sources together represented 83.2% of Greece's total sheep and goat meat import value.

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

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