Norway: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Norway

In 2021, the Norwegian lamb and sheep meat market increased by 34% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Norway

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In 2021, the average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Norway totaled X kg per head, approximately equating 2020 figures. Over the period under review, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 3% against the previous year. The lamb and sheep meat yield peaked at X kg per head in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Norway; remaining constant against the previous year. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the number of producing animals increased by 7.1%. As a result, the number of animals produced reached the peak level of X heads. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of this number remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Norway

In 2021, after nine years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of lamb and sheep meat, when their volume decreased by -78.8% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 101% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports fell markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, saw a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 182%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

Oman (X tons) was the main destination for lamb and sheep meat exports from Norway, with a 53% share of total exports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat exports to Oman exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Denmark (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Finland (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Oman totaled +7.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Denmark (+54.7% per year) and Finland (0.0% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for lamb and sheep meat exported from Norway were Italy ($X), Oman ($X) and Denmark ($X), with a combined 60% share of total exports.

Italy, with a CAGR of +145.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination 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, picking up by 71% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a remarkable increase. 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 external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Finland ($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 Hong Kong SAR (+21.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Norway

In 2021, purchases abroad of lamb and sheep meat increased by 154% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports, however, faced a abrupt setback. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt decrease. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Iceland (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of lamb and sheep meat to Norway, with a 54% share of total imports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat imports from Iceland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, New Zealand (X tons), twofold. The UK (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 22% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Iceland amounted to +3.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: New Zealand (+3.7% per year) and the UK (-22.8% per year).

In value terms, Iceland ($X), New Zealand ($X) and the UK ($X) appeared to be the largest lamb and sheep meat suppliers to Norway, with a combined 92% share of total imports.

New Zealand, with a CAGR of +3.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -15.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 28%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uruguay (+1.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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