Sheep and goat meat market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sheep and goat meat in Poland expanded from 2 556 t in 2018 to 3 060 t in 2019, then contracted over the next two years, falling to 2 127 t by 2021.

A sharp recovery followed in 2022, with market volume reaching 2 942 t. This rebound aligned with innovations in the frozen food segment, including new product launches by major players like Seara, which improved the availability and quality of frozen meat. Growing Polish demand for frozen food, supported by advances in freezing technology, further stimulated the market.

In 2023, the market stabilized at 2 932 t. Shifting consumer habits, such as increased health and environmental awareness, sustained demand, while inflationary pressure and high energy costs constrained growth. By 2024, the EU tariff quota for sheep and goat meat imports was only 44% filled, affecting supply, and the ongoing energy crisis continued to pressure producers towards more efficient methods.

Production sheep and goat meat in Poland

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

After two consecutive years of growth, Poland's sheep and goat meat production declined. In 2020, production reached 2 K t, marking a 5.2% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 21.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.6%. The peak production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 13.3%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Poland

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Poland's sheep and goat meat exports rebounded. In 2020, exports totaled 516 t, representing a 16.3% increase compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 444 t, which also saw the most significant decline of 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Belgium, and Italy were the primary destinations for Poland's sheep and goat meat exports in volume terms. France accounted for 69.6% of exports, Belgium for 8.8%, and Italy for 7.9%. Together, these three markets represented 86.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of sheep and goat meat exports from Poland surged to 3 830 K $ US, reflecting a substantial 28.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values grew by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 972 K $ US, which also experienced the sharpest decline of 20.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, France, Italy, and Belgium were the key partners for Poland's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms. France dominated with 67.5% of export value, followed by Italy at 9.5% and Belgium at 9.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 86.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Poland

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Poland's sheep and goat meat imports contracted. In 2020, imports amounted to 723 t, showing a sharp 39.9% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 27.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 10.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 204 t, which also saw the largest increase of 16.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Germany were the main sources of sheep and goat meat imports to Poland in volume terms. Together, these three countries supplied 77.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of increase, Poland's sheep and goat meat import values declined. In 2020, imports registered 5 946 K $ US, indicating a steep 37.8% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 17.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 6.1%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 9 563 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 16.0%.

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

In 2017-2020, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Germany were the principal suppliers of sheep and goat meat to Poland in value terms. These three markets together accounted for 77.0% of total import value.

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

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