Germany: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Germany

The German lamb and sheep meat market reduced rapidly to $X in 2021, waning by -17.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Lamb and sheep meat consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell significantly in the following year.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Germany

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 14% against the previous year. Lamb and sheep meat production peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

The average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Germany fell to X kg per head in 2021, waning by -14.6% on 2020. Overall, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the yield increased by 52% 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 remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Germany declined to X heads, with a decrease of -2.3% compared with the year before. Overall, the number of producing animals continues to indicate a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the number of producing animals increased by 54%. Over the period under review, this number attained the maximum level at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Germany

In 2021, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of lamb and sheep meat, when their volume increased by 16% to X tons. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible setback. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Austria (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main destinations of lamb and sheep meat exports from Germany, together accounting for 45% of total exports. Denmark, Sweden, France, Belgium, Poland, Turkey, Switzerland, Finland, the Czech Republic and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 47%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +34.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Austria ($X) and Sweden ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for lamb and sheep meat exported from Germany worldwide, with a combined 47% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Denmark, Italy, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland, Turkey, Finland, the Czech Republic and the UK, which together accounted for a further 43%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Turkey, with a CAGR of +28.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 22% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. 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 for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy ($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 the UK (+11.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Germany

Lamb and sheep meat imports into Germany fell sharply to X tons in 2021, waning by -31.9% on 2020 figures. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 12%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2020, and then shrank notably in the following year.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports reduced sharply to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 16% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

New Zealand (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Ireland (X tons) were the main suppliers of lamb and sheep meat imports to Germany, together comprising 76% of total imports. These countries were followed by France, Belgium, Poland, Spain and the UK, which together accounted for a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +81.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lamb and sheep meat suppliers to Germany were New Zealand ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Ireland ($X), with a combined 79% share of total imports. Belgium, France, Spain, Poland and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

Among the main suppliers, Poland, with a CAGR of +74.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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, surging by 17% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Belgium ($X per ton), while the price for Poland ($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 (+2.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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