Tallow market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

Lithuania's tallow market volume declined from 4,673 t in 2018 to 3,711 t in 2023, a reduction driven by a gradual contraction in domestic production and a shift toward exports. A key turning point came in 2021 when exports more than tripled to 283 t, coinciding with Lithuania's role as the largest supplier of tallow to Sweden, capturing over half of its import market. This reorientation toward external markets reduced the material available for domestic consumption, contributing to the overall market contraction over the period.

In the later years, the market continued to be shaped by external demand. Global trends toward sustainability and the use of tallow as a biofuel feedstock reinforced Lithuania's position as an exporter, influencing trade flows. While complete market size data beyond 2023 is unavailable, trade figures show sustained export activity, indicating the ongoing influence of international industrial demand on the local market structure.

Production tallow in Lithuania

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of tallow, 2018-2021

World map of production of tallow, 2018-2021

Lithuania's tallow production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 3 800 tonnes of tallow, marking a 5.0% decrease from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 7.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, but it was negligible at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports tallow from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 73.0 tonnes, while the maximum reached 282.9 tonnes in 2021, representing a 3.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Lithuania's tallow export volume amounted to 282.9 tonnes, which is 287.5% higher than in 2020. The largest decline was observed in 2020, with a drop of 23.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Lithuania's tallow exports in kind were Estonia, accounting for 28.7% of exports, Kazakhstan with 21.4%, and Belgium at 9.9%. Together, these three countries made up 60.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018, while the peak occurred in 2021, showing an 11.5-fold amplitude between these years. In 2021, Lithuania exported tallow worth 376.6 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant rise of 535.3% compared to 2020. The largest decline was in 2020, with a decrease of 14.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the leading destinations for Lithuania's tallow exports in value terms were Estonia, which accounted for 42.9% of exports, Kazakhstan with 19.3%, and Belgium at 8.2%. Collectively, these countries represented 70.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports tallow to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

The data indicates irregular changes, suggesting a volatile market environment. The minimum import volume was in 2019, while the maximum was in 2018, with a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Lithuania's tallow import volume stood at 156.5 tonnes, showing a sharp decline of 49.9% from 2020. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, with a drop of 58.2%, while the largest increase was in 2020, at 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Poland was the overwhelmingly dominant market for Lithuania's tallow imports in kind, accounting for 99.1% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Lithuania's tallow imports from abroad were valued at 221.6 thousand US dollars, indicating a strong decrease of 14.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 58.3%, which equates to an average annual decline of 25.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 204.2 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 61.6%, while the largest increase was in 2020, at 26.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland clearly dominated as the supplier of tallow to Lithuania, capturing 98.2% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021