Denmark: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Denmark

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in the Danish lamb and sheep meat market, when its value increased by 13% to $X. In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Lamb and sheep meat consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Denmark

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Lamb and sheep meat production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat yield in Denmark rose significantly to X kg per head, surging by 13% against 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average lamb and sheep meat yield hit record highs at X kg per head in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Denmark fell to X heads, dropping by -10.9% on 2020. In general, the number of producing animals continues to indicate a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the number of producing animals increased by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at X heads in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Denmark

In 2021, overseas shipments of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -9.4% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports saw a abrupt decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports rose remarkably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 29% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Sweden (X tons) was the main destination for lamb and sheep meat exports from Denmark, accounting for a 51% share of total exports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat exports to Sweden exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Greenland (X tons), twofold. New Zealand (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Sweden totaled -13.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Greenland (+12.7% per year) and New Zealand (0.0% per year).

In value terms, Sweden ($X), Greenland ($X) and New Zealand ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for lamb and sheep meat exported from Denmark worldwide, together accounting for 83% of total exports.

Greenland, with a CAGR of +12.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Finland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to New Zealand ($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 Finland (+4.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Denmark

In 2021, purchases abroad of lamb and sheep meat was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, saw a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 9.1% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a mild shrinkage. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Ireland (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of lamb and sheep meat imports to Denmark, together comprising 67% of total imports. New Zealand, Chile, France, Belgium and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +13.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ireland ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the largest lamb and sheep meat suppliers to Denmark, together comprising 68% of total imports. France, New Zealand, Chile, Belgium and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

Among the main suppliers, France, with a CAGR of +10.8%, saw 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

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 7.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

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 the UK ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+5.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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