EU: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2024

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in the EU

The EU lamb and sheep meat market rose markedly to $X in 2021, surging by 6.8% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a mild downturn. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in the EU

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Spain (X tons), France (X tons) and Greece (X tons), together comprising 51% of total production. These countries were followed by Ireland, Romania, Germany, Italy and Portugal, which together accounted for a further 38%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +1.9%), while production for the other leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.

The average lamb and sheep meat yield amounted to X kg per head in 2021, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the yield increased by 5.2%. Over the period under review, the lamb and sheep meat yield reached the peak level at X kg per head in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in the European Union stood at X heads, approximately mirroring 2020 figures. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals, however, continues to indicate a perceptible decrease. The level of producing animals peaked at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in the EU

Lamb and sheep meat exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, growing by 22% against the previous year. Total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +64.7% against 2012 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +46.4% against 2018 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The biggest shipments were from Ireland (X tons), Spain (X tons), France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons), together reaching 83% of total export. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), constituting a 5% share of total exports. Greece (X tons) and Germany (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +19.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ireland ($X), France ($X) and Spain ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 64% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, France, with a CAGR of +23.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 21% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. As a result, the export 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 exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ireland (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in the EU

In 2021, purchases abroad of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -0.8% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 4.5%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports reached $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, France (X tons) represented the major importer of lamb and sheep meat, achieving 43% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Germany (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Belgium (X tons), together constituting a 39% share of total imports. The following importers - Sweden (X tons), Ireland (X tons) and Portugal (X tons) - together made up 8.7% of total imports.

France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of lamb and sheep meat. At the same time, Ireland (+5.5%) and the Netherlands (+4.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ireland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +5.5% from 2012-2021. Portugal, Sweden, Germany and Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Belgium (-3.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the Netherlands increased by +3.5 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, France ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lamb and sheep meat in the European Union, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 12% share.

In France, lamb and sheep meat imports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+0.1% per year) and the Netherlands (+5.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 15% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Belgium ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton), while Portugal ($X per ton) and Italy ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ireland (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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