Europe: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Europe

The Europe lamb and sheep meat market rose rapidly to $X in 2021, surging by 5.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Europe

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production expanded rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were the UK (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Spain (X tons), together comprising 54% of total production. France, Greece, Ireland, Romania, Germany, Italy, Serbia and Norway lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Serbia (with a CAGR of +2.5%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2021, the average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Europe stood at X kg per head, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year's figure. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 3.1% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Europe fell slightly to X heads, declining by -2.4% against the previous year. Overall, the number of producing animals showed a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the number of producing animals increased by 0.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number attained the peak level at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in Europe

In 2021, approx. X tons of lamb and sheep meat were exported in Europe; with an increase of 8.8% on the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 15%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% 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 +73.5% against 2015 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, the UK (X tons), Ireland (X tons), Spain (X tons), France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) was the major exporter of lamb and sheep meat in Europe, creating 84% of total export. The following exporters - Belgium (X tons) and Greece (X tons) - together made up 6.5% 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, the largest lamb and sheep meat supplying countries in Europe were the UK ($X), Ireland ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 58% share of total exports.

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

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.9%. 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 Belgium ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in Europe

For the third year in a row, Europe recorded decline in purchases abroad of lamb and sheep meat, which decreased by -4.1% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports recorded a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 5.9%. 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 expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

France represented the largest importer of lamb and sheep meat in Europe, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was near 35% of total imports in 2021. The UK (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 16% share, followed by Germany (11%), the Netherlands (8.5%), Italy (7.2%) and Belgium (5.4%). Sweden (X tons) took a minor share 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, the Netherlands (+4.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +4.5% from 2012-2021. Sweden, Germany and Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Belgium (-3.2%) and the UK (-6.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of France (+4.7 p.p.), the Netherlands (+3.6 p.p.) and Germany (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of the UK (-8.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, France ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lamb and sheep meat in Europe, comprising 33% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 13% share.

In France, lamb and sheep meat imports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (-5.1% per year) and Germany (+0.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. 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 Italy ($X per ton) and the UK ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform