Hungary: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Hungary

The Hungarian lamb and sheep meat market surged to $X in 2021, jumping by 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a pronounced descent. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Hungary

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 57% against the previous year. 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.

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat yield in Hungary dropped modestly to X kg per head, declining by -3.9% compared with the previous year. In general, the yield showed a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 4.8%. The lamb and sheep meat yield peaked at X kg per head in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Hungary soared to X heads in 2021, growing by 27% against 2020 figures. In general, the total number of producing animals indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production decreased by -18.8% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number reached the maximum level at X heads in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Hungary

For the third consecutive year, Hungary recorded decline in overseas shipments of lamb and sheep meat, which decreased by -9.7% to X tons in 2021. Overall, exports, however, posted a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 239%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports rose significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 129%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Austria (X tons) was the main destination for lamb and sheep meat exports from Hungary, with a 63% share of total exports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat exports to Austria exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Switzerland (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Romania (X tons), with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Austria totaled +53.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Switzerland (+39.4% per year) and Romania (+27.1% per year).

In value terms, Austria ($X) remains the key foreign market for lamb and sheep meat exports from Hungary, comprising 64% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Switzerland ($X), with a 24% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Austria amounted to +44.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Switzerland (+45.2% per year) and Germany (+41.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 19% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average export price increased by 25% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Romania ($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 Switzerland (+4.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Hungary

For the third consecutive year, Hungary recorded decline in supplies from abroad of lamb and sheep meat, which decreased by -23% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 59% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports reduced slightly to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 24% 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

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier to Hungary, accounting for a 46% share of total imports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Croatia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Spain (X tons), with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Netherlands totaled -1.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Croatia (-34.8% per year) and Spain (+11.1% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lamb and sheep meat to Hungary, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Spain, with a 9.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the Netherlands was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-16.5% per year) and Spain (+8.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a slight setback. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Croatia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+13.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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