Sheep and goat meat market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the Romanian sheep and goat meat market grew from 95.1 thousand tons to 124.3 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by shifts in consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, which raised demand for sheep and goat meat. Simultaneously, the introduction of HG 624/2020 in 2020 established strict rules for the origin and labeling of chilled and frozen meat, helping to reinforce quality standards and consumer confidence.

Throughout the period, a strong consumer preference for fresh meat persisted, while frozen meat faced distrust. Market inspections revealed cases of frozen meat being sold as chilled, prompting legislative initiatives to tighten labeling rules, including mandatory disclosure of freezing dates. After peaking in 2022, the market volume declined to 117.6 thousand tons in 2023.

Production sheep and goat meat in Romania

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

In 2020, Romania produced 109 K t of sheep and goat meat, showing little change from the previous year. Looking at the broader trend from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 34.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 13.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 104 K t. That same year saw the sharpest drop of 37.3%, while 2019 experienced the largest increase at 5.4%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of sheep and goat meat declined for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 4 338 t. This represents a significant year-over-year decrease of 55.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 47.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -19.1%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 9 806 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 19.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Jordan, and Kuwait were the primary destinations for Romania's sheep and goat meat exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 26.8% of exports, Jordan for 25.2%, and Kuwait for 4.8%. Together, these three markets represented 56.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Romania's sheep and goat meat exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 22 711 K $ US. This marked a substantial 48.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 40.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 44 412 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 16.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Jordan, Italy, and Kuwait remained the top buyers of Romanian sheep and goat meat in value terms. Jordan accounted for 33.4% of export value, Italy for 24.4%, and Kuwait for 5.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 63.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Romania

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania imported 594 t of sheep and goat meat, a slight increase of 0.6% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 591 t, while the highest was in 2018 at 687 t. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019 with a 14.0% drop, whereas 2018 saw the largest increase of 13.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's sheep and goat meat imports in volume terms came from a diverse range of countries. Spain accounted for 17.4% of imports, the Netherlands for 16.3%, and Hungary for 15.9%. Together, these three suppliers made up 49.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's imports of sheep and goat meat declined for the second straight year in 2020, reaching 3 439 K $ US. This represented an 11.8% decrease from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.1%. The peak import value was in 2018 at 4 459 K $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 18.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 12.5% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain were the main sources of sheep and goat meat imports to Romania in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 51.0% of total import value.

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

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