Sheep and goat meat market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for sheep and goat meat in Northern Europe fluctuated between 714.1 thousand tonnes and 748.3 thousand tonnes, while the market value rose from 6.0 billion USD to 6.3 billion USD. The period saw a contraction in 2019 followed by a slight recovery in 2020.

The market volume dropped to 645.5 thousand tonnes in 2021, though the value increased to 6.6 billion USD. After society reopened, overall meat consumption grew, but the sheep and goat meat segment contracted. In 2023, despite high inflation and a general decline in meat consumption, demand for sheep and goat meat increased, driving the market volume up to 703.5 thousand tonnes and the value to 6.6 billion USD.

In 2024, meat consumption rose by 2.1% thanks to lower mortgage rates and fading inflation, while production of sheep and goat meat decreased. The EU and South American countries also finalized a comprehensive trade agreement that could influence meat imports and exports in the region.

Production sheep and goat meat in Northern 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

The market exhibited notable volatility throughout the observed period. Production fluctuated significantly, with a twofold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low point in 2017. In 2020, Northern Europe produced 788.5 K t of sheep and goat meat, marking a 1.2% increase compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, at 0.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, reaching 95.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market demonstrated considerable volatility during the period under review. There was a 2.3-fold variation between the highest value in 2020 and the lowest in 2017. In 2020, the output of sheep and goat meat in Northern Europe was valued at 5 571 M $ US, reflecting a 14.6% year-over-year increase. The most significant decline took place in 2019, at 7.7%, whereas the largest rise was observed in 2018, amounting to 114.4%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, sheep and goat meat exports from Northern Europe reached 137.6 K t, representing a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 2.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 132.0 K t. The most pronounced drop occurred in 2018, at 6.6%, while the largest increase was seen in 2019, at 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Belgium were the primary markets for exports in kind, accounting for 37.3%, 14.6%, and 7.7% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 59.5% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat from Northern Europe totaled 972.5 M $ US, indicating a robust increase of 10.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.1%. The most notable decline was recorded in 2019, at 0.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and Belgium formed the core group of markets for exports in value terms, with shares of 37.9%, 14.4%, and 9.8%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 62.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat into Northern Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 74.4 K t, down by 1.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 24.1%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands consistently served as the main sources for imports in kind, contributing 53.2%, 10.2%, and 5.6% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 69.0% of all import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, foreign supplies of sheep and goat meat to Northern Europe reached 580.3 M $ US, reflecting a 2.2% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 10.7%, which equates to an annualized rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 567.8 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 681.4 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, at 16.7%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2018, at 4.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands made the largest contributions to imports in value terms, with shares of 55.8%, 9.8%, and 6.8%, respectively. Jointly, these three countries accounted for 72.4% of total import flows.

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

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