Sheep and goat meat market in Norway

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sheep and goat meat in Norway experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a high consumption level in 2018, the market value contracted to $175.4 million in 2019. By 2022, it rebounded sharply to $227.4 million. This recovery was supported by regulatory developments, including proposed rules to prohibit unfair price differences in the food value chain, and a significant market dynamic: increased focus on goat meat as a new opportunity, particularly among immigrant communities, which helped develop a fresh segment and stimulated market volume.

Market value fell again to $181.5 million in 2023, primarily driven by a 5% decline in red meat consumption that included sheep and goat products. New regulatory measures came into force that year, such as mandatory origin labeling for fresh meat and the implementation of updated EU hygiene regulations, which added compliance requirements for producers and importers. Continued pressure on red meat consumption in 2024 and substantial agricultural subsidies alongside significant meat price increases in 2025 further shaped the cost and production landscape for Norwegian sheep and goat meat.

Production sheep and goat meat in Norway

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2019, Norway's sheep and goat meat production was valued at 173.0 million US dollars, marking a significant year-over-year decline of 18.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

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

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production peaked in 2020 and reached its lowest point in 2019, with a 2.3-fold difference between these extremes. In 2019, Norway produced 49.4 thousand metric tons of sheep and goat meat, which represents a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to the previous year. The highest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 49.8 thousand metric tons, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2020 with a growth of 130.2%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Norway

Exports in kind, t

Norway's sheep and goat meat exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 8.9 metric tons, showing a dramatic decrease of 96.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 98.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -76.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Oman (50.8% of exports in volume), the United Kingdom (20.1%), and Singapore (12.6%) formed the main group of destinations for Norway's sheep and goat meat exports, together accounting for 83.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Export values reached their maximum in 2019 and dropped to their minimum in 2021, representing a 19-fold shift. In 2021, Norway's sheep and goat meat export value amounted to 135 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp drop of 87.6% compared to the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 2,540 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019 with growth of 1.2%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Oman (51.3% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (18.3%), and Singapore (9.9%) remained Norway's key export partners, together accounting for 79.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Norway

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior during these years showed considerable volatility. Imports varied by a factor of 2.8, from a high in 2021 to a low in 2020. In 2021, Norway imported 823.0 metric tons of sheep and goat meat, representing a substantial increase of 175.4% compared to 2020. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 298.9 metric tons, while the largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2020 with a decrease of 39.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Iceland and New Zealand remained the primary sources for Norway's sheep and goat meat imports, jointly accounting for 94.0% of total import flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior during these years was marked by volatility. Import values changed by a factor of 2.2 from their peak in 2021 to their trough in 2020. In 2021, Norway imported sheep and goat meat valued at 3,278 thousand US dollars, constituting a sharp gain of 123.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 3,278 thousand US dollars, while the largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2020 with a decrease of 33.9%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Norway's import structure in value terms was dominated by New Zealand and Iceland, which together accounted for 92.0% of total import flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

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

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