Netherlands: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in the Netherlands

The Dutch lamb and sheep meat market fell dramatically to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -19.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a noticeable setback. Lamb and sheep meat consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in the Netherlands

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The average yield of lamb and sheep meat in the Netherlands was estimated at X kg per head in 2021, standing approx. at 2020 figures. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the yield increased by 3.6%. The lamb and sheep meat yield peaked at X kg per head in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in the Netherlands contracted to X heads, which is down by -1.9% against the year before. This number increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the number of producing animals increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, the amount of animals produced reached the peak level of X heads, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from the Netherlands

In 2021, shipments abroad of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -4.4% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 36%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main destinations of lamb and sheep meat exports from the Netherlands, together comprising 67% of total exports. These countries were followed by Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Denmark, Finland and the UK, which together accounted for a further 20%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of +45.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and France ($X) constituted the largest markets for lamb and sheep meat exported from the Netherlands worldwide, with a combined 68% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Finland, Denmark and the UK, which together accounted for a further 20%.

Among the main countries of destination, Ireland, with a CAGR of +46.8%, 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

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 21% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a modest increase. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($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 Italy (+5.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into the Netherlands

In 2021, the amount of lamb and sheep meat imported into the Netherlands dropped markedly to X tons, shrinking by -18.2% against the previous year. In general, total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports reduced to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +72.7% against 2013 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 24%. Imports peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2021, New Zealand (X tons) constituted the largest lamb and sheep meat supplier to the Netherlands, with a 70% share of total imports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat imports from New Zealand exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Australia (X tons), with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from New Zealand stood at +8.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+2.9% per year) and Australia (+11.3% per year).

In value terms, New Zealand ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lamb and sheep meat to the Netherlands, comprising 76% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 6% share of total imports. It was followed by Australia, with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from New Zealand totaled +8.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+6.1% per year) and Australia (+10.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 18% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 New Zealand ($X per ton), while the price for Ireland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iceland (+12.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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