Sheep and goat meat market in Latvia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the sheep and goat meat market in Latvia expanded, with volume rising from 1 929 t to 2 018 t. This growth was supported by increasing consumer demand for fresh, high-quality, and health-conscious meat products, which encouraged producers to focus on quality and origin labeling. The subsequent period saw market stabilization in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic introduced disruptions to food supply chains, though domestic producers maintained steady deliveries. A sharp contraction followed in 2021, when the market volume dropped by 19.5% to 1 580 t. This decline was primarily driven by a noted shift in meat production within Latvia away from sheep and goat meat toward other types like beef and pork, reducing domestic output.

From 2021 onward, the market entered a recovery phase. The entry of new meat processing and extraction enterprises in 2022 signaled sector development and increased competition, helping to lift market volume by 3.4% that year. Strengthened consumer interest in locally sourced, quality meat, along with improved traceability from new health and identification labeling rules, further supported demand. By 2023, the market reached 1 665 t, marking a continued, though modest, upward trend.

Production sheep and goat meat in Latvia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2018-2021

After two years of growth, Latvia's sheep and goat meat production volume declined in 2021. The country produced 2 K t of this meat, marking a significant 17.5% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 14.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.0%. The peak production level was reached in 2020 at 2 K t, while the strongest annual growth occurred in 2019 with a 3.0% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Latvia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports sheep and goat meat from Latvia

Exports in kind, t

Latvia's sheep and goat meat exports have grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 218.4 t, showing a 9.1% rise compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 15.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 167.6 t, which also saw the largest decline of 11.4%. The most substantial increase happened in 2020 with a 19.5% jump.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latvia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Finland remained Latvia's primary export destination for sheep and goat meat, representing 73.0% of total exports in volume. Other markets played a much smaller role during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Latvia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Latvia's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms have increased for two consecutive years. In 2021, exports totaled 1 910 K $ US, rising by 23.9% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, export value grew by 39.5%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 11.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 328 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latvia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During the 2018–2021 period, Finland and Lithuania were the main markets for Latvia's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms, together accounting for 87.7% of total export value. Other trading partners made up the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Latvia in value, 2018-2021

Imports sheep and goat meat to Latvia

Imports in kind, t

Latvia's sheep and goat meat imports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 98.2 t, reflecting a modest 4.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports dropped by 29.1%, averaging an annual decline of 10.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 145.4 t, which also saw the largest increase of 5.0%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 with a 29.4% reduction.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latvia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands, Estonia, and Lithuania formed the core group of suppliers for Latvia's sheep and goat meat imports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 39.8% of imports, Estonia for 23.0%, and Lithuania for 12.9%, together representing 75.6% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Latvia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Latvia's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms increased in 2021. The country imported 1 124 K $ US worth of this meat, showing a slight 2.1% rise compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 24.8%, with an average annual decline of 9.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 101 K $ US, which also experienced the largest drop of 25.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latvia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the Netherlands, Estonia, and Lithuania were the leading sources of Latvia's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms. The Netherlands contributed 43.6% of import value, Estonia 17.8%, and Lithuania 11.6%, collectively accounting for 73.0% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Latvia in value, 2018-2021