Greece: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Greece

The Greek lamb and sheep meat market expanded sharply to $X in 2021, surging by 10% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a abrupt curtailment. Lamb and sheep meat consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Greece

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a noticeable shrinkage. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Greece totaled X kg per head in 2021, growing by 5.3% on 2020. Overall, the yield showed mild growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 5.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average lamb and sheep meat yield reached the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Greece; leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the number of producing animals showed a noticeable slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 19% 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 remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Greece

In 2021, exports of lamb and sheep meat from Greece soared to X tons, growing by 51% on 2020 figures. In general, exports posted a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 56% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports posted a buoyant increase. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons) was the main destination for lamb and sheep meat exports from Greece, accounting for a 50% share of total exports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat exports to Italy exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Spain (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Portugal (X tons), with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Italy totaled +15.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+19.3% per year) and Portugal (+44.9% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X) remains the key foreign market for lamb and sheep meat exports from Greece, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Portugal, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Italy totaled +15.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+21.0% per year) and Portugal (+44.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 18% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed 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 destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Portugal ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Albania ($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 Croatia (+15.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Greece

For the third consecutive year, Greece recorded decline in purchases abroad of lamb and sheep meat, which decreased by -14.4% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports showed a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports rose significantly to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Romania (X tons), Spain (X tons) and New Zealand (X tons) were the main suppliers of lamb and sheep meat imports to Greece, with a combined 81% share of total imports. North Macedonia, France, the Netherlands, Cyprus and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 16%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +16.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, New Zealand ($X), Romania ($X) and Spain ($X) constituted the largest lamb and sheep meat suppliers to Greece, with a combined 74% share of total imports. North Macedonia, the Netherlands, France, Cyprus and Bulgaria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Cyprus, with a CAGR of +27.3%, recorded 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, jumping by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

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 Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Romania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cyprus (+9.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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