Sheep and goat meat market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh, chilled, or frozen sheep and goat meat in Southern Europe showed considerable volume shifts from 2018 to 2021. After a relatively stable period near 540–550 thousand tonnes, the market contracted to 467.6 thousand tonnes in 2020. A strong recovery followed in 2021, with volume rising to 557.4 thousand tonnes, supported by sustained export activity to key international destinations such as China, France, and Italy.

In 2022, consumer price inflation for this meat category persisted for nine consecutive months, elevating the market value to $3 863 million despite a slight volume dip to 531.3 thousand tonnes. Shifts in consumer behavior also emerged, with a 24% growth in e-commerce and rising demand for convenient, ready-to-cook products. By 2023, severe drought and outbreaks of sheep pox disrupted production, increasing feed costs and reducing livestock numbers. This supply constraint drove market volume down to 495.8 thousand tonnes and value to $3 472 million, accompanied by a 7.4% drop in export volumes.

For 2024, trade dynamics evolved significantly, with live animal exports to Morocco surging by 350% and accounting for 61% of live animal shipments. Imports of fresh meat and live animals also increased during the year's final quarter, aligning with seasonal holiday demand. Ongoing pressures from pasture shortages and high input costs continued to challenge domestic production.

Production sheep and goat meat in Southern Europe

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, Southern Europe produced 481.0 K t of sheep and goat meat, representing a significant 11.6% decline compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually grew by 4.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The peak production occurred in 2018, reaching 544.3 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 18.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sheep and goat meat production in Southern Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 845 M $ US, marking a 9.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value increased by 12.3%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 365 M $ US, with the largest annual increase that year of 32.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sheep and goat meat from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Southern Europe's exports of sheep and goat meat declined. In 2020, exports totaled 52 056 t, showing no significant change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 14.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 52 179 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Europe's exports of sheep and goat meat were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. France accounted for 29.6% of exports, the United Kingdom for 4.3%, and Denmark for 3.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 36.9% of total export flows, indicating a diverse export market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sheep and goat meat exports from Southern Europe increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 307.9 M $ US, reflecting a modest 2.0% improvement compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 22.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United Kingdom, and Israel were notable but not dominant buyers of sheep and goat meat from Southern Europe. France accounted for 33.3% of export value, the United Kingdom for 3.4%, and Israel for 2.4%. Their combined share reached just 39.2% of total export value, highlighting a broad distribution among other countries.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Southern Europe's imports of sheep and goat meat declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 38 713 t, which was 16.9% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 14.2%, with an average annual decline of 5.0%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 50 257 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of sheep and goat meat to Southern Europe were not heavily concentrated. New Zealand and France each accounted for 12.4% of imports, while the United Kingdom accounted for 12.1%. Together, these three countries captured only 37.0% of total import flows, indicating a diverse sourcing pattern.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Sheep and goat meat imports to Southern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 258.9 M $ US, down by 18.9% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 13.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 344.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market base for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. New Zealand accounted for 15.5% of import value, the United Kingdom for 14.0%, and France for 10.7%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for just 40.3% of total import flows, with the remaining 59.7% shared among numerous other countries.

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

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