Croatia: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Croatia

The Croatian lamb and sheep meat market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, jumping by 18% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Croatia

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -1.6% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 25%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Croatia totaled X kg per head in 2021, approximately equating the previous year's figure. In general, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per head. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the average lamb and sheep meat yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Croatia rose rapidly to X heads, with an increase of 13% against the previous year's figure. This number increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the number of producing animals increased by 14%. Over the period under review, this number reached the maximum level at X heads in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Croatia

In 2021, shipments abroad of lamb and sheep meat was finally on the rise to reach X tons after five years of decline. In general, exports saw resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 345% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 300% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Slovenia (X tons) was the main destination for lamb and sheep meat exports from Croatia, with a 67% share of total exports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat exports to Slovenia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Serbia (X tons), with a 7.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Slovenia totaled +5.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+192.5% per year) and Serbia (+94.5% per year).

In value terms, Slovenia ($X) remains the key foreign market for lamb and sheep meat exports from Croatia, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Serbia, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Slovenia stood at +6.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+204.5% per year) and Serbia (+86.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, lamb and sheep meat export price decreased by -7.7% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 30%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Montenegro ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Montenegro (+11.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Croatia

In 2021, lamb and sheep meat imports into Croatia soared to X tons, jumping by 22% compared with the year before. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

North Macedonia (X tons), Serbia (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) were the main suppliers of lamb and sheep meat imports to Croatia, together comprising 76% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Serbia (with a CAGR of +1,634.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, North Macedonia ($X), Serbia ($X) and Bulgaria ($X) appeared to be the largest lamb and sheep meat suppliers to Croatia, together accounting for 69% of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Serbia, with a CAGR of +1,712.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 21% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Greece ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+12.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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