Sheep and goat meat market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Swiss market for fresh, chilled, or frozen sheep and goat meat contracted by 8%, falling from 18 224 t to 16 808 t. The initial decline in 2019 was partly driven by the appreciation of the Swiss franc, which made imports more expensive and led to a 9.7% drop in imported volumes, contributing to a smaller overall market size.

A major regulatory shift occurred in 2020 with the introduction of mandatory traceability rules requiring movement registration and dual ear‑tagging for sheep and goats. These new obligations increased the compliance burden on domestic producers and coincided with an 8.8% fall in production that year. The regulatory framework was tightened further through a 2022 deadline for full electronic tagging, which continued to constrain local output in the following years.

After reaching a low in 2022, the market saw a modest recovery of 1.2% in 2023, reaching 16 808 t, supported by a 3.0% increase in domestic production. However, policy measures announced in 2024, including restrictions on building new livestock facilities, signaled ongoing headwinds for the indigenous supply side.

Production sheep and goat meat in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, 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, sheep and goat meat production in Switzerland experienced a decline. In 2020, production stood at 11 288 tonnes, marking an 8.9% decrease from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 12 384 tonnes, while the most significant annual growth occurred in 2018 with a 10.0% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sheep and goat meat from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Export volumes fluctuated dramatically, with a 145-fold difference between the 2018 high and the 2017 low. In 2020, Switzerland's sheep and goat meat exports dropped sharply to just 0.2 tonnes, representing a 91.9% plunge from 2019 levels. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 tonnes, which also saw the largest percentage increase at 14 411.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ireland and Germany dominated Switzerland's sheep and goat meat exports, collectively accounting for 99.3% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years, with a 43-fold variation between the 2018 peak and the 2017 trough. In 2020, Switzerland's sheep and goat meat export value fell to $0.0 million US, down 78.0% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at $0.1 million US, which also saw the largest percentage increase at 4 197.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland served as Switzerland's primary market for sheep and goat meat exports in value terms, representing 78.4% of total export value, while other destinations played a more limited role.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, Switzerland's sheep and goat meat imports rebounded in 2020, reaching 6 189 tonnes—a 13.8% increase from 2019. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.4%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of -2.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 438 tonnes, which also saw the steepest annual decline at 9.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand (32.1% of import volume), Australia (25.9%), and Ireland (18.4%) together supplied 76.4% of Switzerland's sheep and goat meat imports, maintaining their position as the country's main sources.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two consecutive years of contraction, Switzerland's sheep and goat meat import value showed a modest recovery in 2020, reaching $99.6 million US—a 7.7% increase from 2019. Nevertheless, over the 2017-2020 period, import value declined by 15.9%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $92.5 million US, which also experienced the most substantial annual drop at 21.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, New Zealand (35.1% of import value), Australia (29.9%), and Ireland (15.7%) remained Switzerland's key suppliers of sheep and goat meat in value terms, collectively accounting for 80.7% of total import value.

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

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