Sheep and goat meat market in Slovenia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Slovenian sheep and goat meat market showed fluctuating volumes, declining to 3,526 t in 2019 before gradually recovering to 3,642 t by 2021. Domestic production followed a similar pattern, moving from 3,620 t to 3,540 t over the same period.

Significant regulatory changes emerged in 2022 with the launch of the 'Izbrana kakovost' quality certification scheme for sheep and goat meat, establishing standards for traceability and origin labeling. Updated veterinary rules for storage and transport also aimed to enhance product safety and consumer trust. Despite these developments, the total market volume contracted to 3,461 t that year. In 2023, further amendments to traceability regulations improved regulatory alignment, coinciding with a market rebound to 3,590 t.

The regulatory landscape continued to evolve in 2024 through new rules recognizing producer organizations and tightening mandatory origin labeling requirements. Concurrently, the market faced a sharp price increase of approximately 30.1% for sheep and goat meat, adding pressure on affordability and consumption patterns.

Production sheep and goat meat in Slovenia

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, Slovenia produced 4 K t of sheep and goat meat, representing a modest year-over-year increase of 2.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was observed in 2019 at 3 K t, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 4 K t. The most significant production drop took place in 2019 at 5.5%, whereas the strongest growth was recorded in 2018 at 5.2%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Slovenia

Exports in kind, t

Slovenia's cross-border shipments of sheep and goat meat declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 6.6 t, marking an 18.3% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 73.8%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 36.0%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Slovenia's export structure in physical terms was dominated by Croatia and Italy, which together accounted for 96.8% of total flows. Other markets represented only a minor share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Slovenia's exported sheep and goat meat volumes declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 56 K $ US, down by 28.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 61.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 27.2%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 179 K $ US. The most substantial drop occurred in 2019 at 56.5%, while the strongest growth was observed in 2018 at 24.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, Croatia and Italy played the leading roles in Slovenia's exports in value terms, together capturing 94.9% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Slovenia

Imports in kind, t

Slovenia's sheep and goat meat import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 70.0 t, reflecting a sharp 38.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 62.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 28.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia (44.9% of imports in kind), New Zealand (14.0% of imports in kind), and Austria (12.4% of imports in kind) remained the primary suppliers of sheep and goat meat to Slovenia, jointly forming 71.3% of total imports in physical terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign sheep and goat meat supplies to Slovenia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Slovenia imported 703 K $ US of sheep and goat meat, indicating a sharp 41.2% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 56.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 24.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, Croatia (32.5% of imports in value terms), New Zealand (21.9% of imports in value terms), and Austria (21.1% of imports in value terms) were the main markets for Slovenia's imports in value terms, together accounting for 75.4% of total flows.

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

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