Sheep and goat meat market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

At the start of the period, the Portuguese sheep and goat meat market volume stood at 42 659 t in 2018. The sector faced a persistent decline in the number of farms due to low profitability, aging producers, and reduced government support, which constrained domestic production capacity. By 2020, market volume had fallen to 37 449 t, a drop accelerated by increased competition from imports of fresh and chilled meat from third countries such as New Zealand and Australia, which pressured prices paid to local producers.

Market volume recovered to 40 624 t in 2021 but then resumed its decline, reaching 34 533 t by 2023. During this phase, new rules for minced meat came into force, requiring immediate packaging and strict temperature control during processing, which affected operational efficiency at production facilities. Simultaneously, global competition intensified, with Australia and New Zealand dominating world exports, further limiting the Portuguese sector's ability to regain market share.

In the later years, consumer preferences shifted toward premium chilled and frozen products, supported by rising disposable incomes across Europe and the growth of Portugal's tourism industry, which boosted demand from the food service sector. Producers adopted vacuum packaging and ultra-freezing technologies to preserve product quality and extend shelf life. Government-backed projects to promote native breeds and internationalize Portuguese sheep and goat meat remained active, aiming to enhance the sector's competitiveness.

Production sheep and goat meat in Portugal

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

In 2021, Portugal produced 34 K t of sheep and goat meat, marking a 9.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 31 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 36 K t. The most significant drop was observed in 2020, when production fell by 12.5%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

Portugal's exports of sheep and goat meat reached 1 043 t in 2021, representing a 13.0% decrease compared to 2020. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 827 t, while the highest was in 2020 at 1 199 t. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019 with a 22.2% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2020, when exports surged by 45.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, France, Spain, and Egypt remained the top buyers of Portuguese sheep and goat meat, accounting for 36.3%, 30.9%, and 5.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 73.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Portugal's sheep and goat meat exports grew for the second consecutive year, reaching 5 736 K $ US in 2021—a 17.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 717 K $ US, with the most significant decline that year at 22.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, when exports jumped by 31.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, France, Spain, and Angola consistently dominated Portugal's sheep and goat meat exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 69.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Portugal's imports of sheep and goat meat showed a modest increase. In 2021, imports totaled 7 307 t, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 26.3%, with a CAGR of -9.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 7 288 t, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2019 with a 24.7% drop.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, France, and Greece were the primary sources of sheep and goat meat imports to Portugal, accounting for 40.5%, 21.0%, and 8.4% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries supplied 70.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Portugal's sheep and goat meat imports rebounded in 2021, reaching 55 277 K $ US—a solid 12.8% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 14.1%, with a CAGR of -4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 48 985 K $ US, while the most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 21.2% drop.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, France, and Greece formed the core markets for Portugal's sheep and goat meat imports in value terms, accounting for 35.1%, 22.7%, and 9.9% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 67.7% of total import flows.

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

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