Sheep and goat meat market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the volume of the sheep and goat meat market in Western Europe increased from 294.8 thousand tons to 369.8 thousand tons. The market experienced a significant contraction in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted foodservice channels and reduced demand. A moderate recovery followed in 2021 as restrictions eased and consumer purchasing power improved.

In 2022, severe drought conditions led to herd reductions and a drop in slaughter rates, constraining domestic production. The same year saw the implementation of mandatory origin labeling for sheep and goat meat, increasing traceability requirements for market participants. Consumer trends also shifted, with flexitarian diets reducing demand for red meat and affecting market dynamics in 2023. Throughout the period, the public agency FranceAgriMer provided annual sector reports that enhanced market transparency.

Production sheep and goat meat in Western 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

Following two years of growth, sheep and goat meat production in Western Europe experienced a decline. In 2020, production reached 168.7 K t, marking a 21.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 11.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The peak production level was recorded in 2019 at 216.1 K t, which represented the largest annual increase of 32.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of positive performance, Western Europe's sheep and goat meat production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 029 M $ US, reflecting a 20.7% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 16.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. The highest value was achieved in 2019 at 3 819 M $ US, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 at 22.6%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Western Europe's sheep and goat meat export volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 28.2 K t, representing a substantial 44.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 40.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 15.9%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 51.7 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Europe's sheep and goat meat exports were distributed across numerous markets. Italy accounted for 11.8% of exports, Sweden for 7.0%, and the United Kingdom for 6.4%. Together, these three countries represented just 25.2% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sheep and goat meat exports from Western Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 378 M $ US, showing a significant 14.2% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 19%, translating to an average annual decline of 6.8%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 487 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 4.5%.

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

The export partner structure in value terms remained fragmented during 2017-2020. Italy represented 8.1% of export value, Sweden 7.2%, and the United Kingdom 4.5%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 19.7% of total export flows, with no single country achieving a dominant market share.

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

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

Imports sheep and goat meat to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Sheep and goat meat imports to Western Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 173.1 K t, representing a 4.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 7.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 2.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Kingdom accounted for 33.7% of imports, New Zealand for 27.9%, and Ireland for 15.2%. Together, these three countries formed the main import cluster, representing 76.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, sheep and goat meat imports to Western Europe reached 1 526 M $ US, showing a modest 3.4% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 1 476 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 700 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 13.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand accounted for 36.0% of import value, the United Kingdom for 27.1%, and Ireland for 13.4%. These three primary suppliers together represented 76.5% of total import value for sheep and goat meat in Western Europe.

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

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