Eastern Europe: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Eastern Europe

The East European lamb and sheep meat market contracted slightly to $X in 2021, dropping by -2% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a mild decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the market value increased by 7.4%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Eastern Europe

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production dropped modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 6.8%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Russia (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of lamb and sheep meat production, accounting for 71% of total volume. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat production in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Romania (X tons), fourfold. Bulgaria (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 3.1% share.

In Russia, lamb and sheep meat production increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Romania (-2.7% per year) and Bulgaria (-5.0% per year).

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat yield in Eastern Europe rose modestly to X kg per head, picking up by 2.9% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 5.5% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per head. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the lamb and sheep meat yield failed to regain momentum.

The global number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production fell to X heads in 2021, almost unchanged from the year before. In general, the number of producing animals recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 4.6% against the previous year. The level of producing animals peaked at X heads in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, shipments abroad of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -24.6% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 39% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports shrank to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a perceptible decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Romania (X tons) was the largest exporter of lamb and sheep meat, making up 47% of total exports. Poland (X tons) held a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Moldova (8.2%), Bulgaria (7.5%) and Hungary (6.3%). The following exporters - Latvia (X tons), Slovakia (X tons) and Russia (X tons) - together made up 10% of total exports.

Exports from Romania increased at an average annual rate of +8.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Hungary (+27.9%) and Latvia (+23.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hungary emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +27.9% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Poland (-1.1%), Slovakia (-9.9%), Moldova (-12.4%), Bulgaria (-13.4%) and Russia (-25.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Romania (+31 p.p.), Hungary (+5.8 p.p.), Latvia (+3.3 p.p.) and Poland (+3.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Slovakia (-2.8 p.p.), Moldova (-10.7 p.p.), Bulgaria (-11.9 p.p.) and Russia (-24 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Romania ($X) remains the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Bulgaria, with an 8.4% share.

In Romania, lamb and sheep meat exports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.9% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (+2.3% per year) and Bulgaria (-12.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, surging by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per ton), while Moldova ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, purchases abroad of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -20.7% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, imports recorded a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 6.8%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports contracted slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 16%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Russia (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Romania (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented the major importer of lamb and sheep meat in Eastern Europe, generating 79% of total import. The Czech Republic (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Estonia (X tons). All these countries together took near 13% share of total imports. Latvia (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +9.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Romania ($X), Russia ($X) and Poland ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 54% of total imports. These countries were followed by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Latvia, which together accounted for a further 37%.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +10.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 23% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. 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 importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Latvia ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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