Tallow market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The tallow market volume in Eastern Europe grew from 108.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 126.9 thousand tons in 2022, driven by the emergence of new product segments like biofuels and soap-making fatty acids, which expanded demand. This trend was supported by a rising consumer preference for sustainable and eco-friendly products, which increased consumption of tallow derivatives as alternatives to animal-based fats.

Regulatory changes, including tightening environmental standards and new labeling requirements, prompted producers to adopt cleaner technologies. The COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain and logistical disruptions in 2022, while increased activity and investment from state-owned companies that year helped boost production. However, the market volume fell to 114.5 thousand tons in 2023 due to regional political and economic shifts that affected trade flows and market access, alongside the entry of new players and modernization of major production facilities.

Production tallow in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tallow, 2017-2020

World map of production of tallow, 2017-2020

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), tallow production reached 106.1 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 3.8% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The most significant production decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of tallow production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) stood at 85 335 thousand US dollars in 2020, reflecting a 14.7% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 23.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The largest decline was observed in 2019, at 6.4%, whereas the most substantial increase occurred in 2018, reaching 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports tallow from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

Tallow exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) continued to decline for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 18 196 tons, representing a gradual decrease of 5.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 11.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the country composition of tallow exports in kind was highly dispersed. The Netherlands accounted for 6.9% of exports, Austria for 5.7%, and Germany for 5.4%, together making up just 18.1% of total flows. The remaining 81.9% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, tallow export volumes from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased in 2020. Exports amounted to 14 638 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate rise of 5.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 940 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Data for 2017–2020 indicate that tallow exports in value terms from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not concentrated on a few key destinations. The Netherlands accounted for 7.2% of exports, Germany for 4.7%, and Kazakhstan for 3.8%, jointly representing only 15.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports tallow to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, tallow imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 28 247 tons, down by 4.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 14.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 24 315 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 29 475 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 21.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of tallow imports in kind was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 13.8% of imports, Austria for 12.4%, and Lithuania for 5.2%, together making up only 31.5% of total flows. The remaining 68.5% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported tallow volumes in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 20 491 thousand US dollars, showing a limited rise of 9.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 11%, equating to an average annual increase of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 17 012 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 9.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for tallow imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 13.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 7.9%, and Austria for 5.0%, jointly representing 26.5% of total flows. Many other countries accounted for the remaining 73.5%.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020