Portugal: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Portugal

In 2021, the Portuguese lamb and sheep meat market increased by 29% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, saw a slight decrease. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Portugal

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 35%. 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 yield of lamb and sheep meat in Portugal totaled X kg per head, with an increase of 3.3% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield, however, showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 71%. Over the period under review, the average lamb and sheep meat yield hit record highs at X kg per head in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum.

The number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Portugal was estimated at X heads in 2021, growing by 6.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total number of producing animals indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine years. 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 -6.1% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 65% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production peaked at X heads in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Portugal

Lamb and sheep meat exports from Portugal shrank to X tons in 2021, reducing by -11.2% against the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 107%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports rose markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 79% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main destinations of lamb and sheep meat exports from Portugal, together accounting for 56% of total exports. These countries were followed by Qatar, Italy, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Angola, which together accounted for a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Qatar (with a CAGR of +190.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), Egypt ($X) and Spain ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for lamb and sheep meat exported from Portugal worldwide, together accounting for 57% of total exports. Italy, Qatar, Angola, Oman and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +186.1%, 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

The average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 38%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Angola ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($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 Oman (+9.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Portugal

In 2021, overseas purchases of lamb and sheep meat were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 24%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% 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 2018 with an increase of 36% 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

Spain (X tons), France (X tons) and Greece (X tons) were the main suppliers of lamb and sheep meat imports to Portugal, together accounting for 79% of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Argentina, New Zealand, Belgium and Ireland, which together accounted for a further 17%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +59.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X), France ($X) and Greece ($X) constituted the largest lamb and sheep meat suppliers to Portugal, together accounting for 79% of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, New Zealand, Argentina, Ireland and Belgium, which together accounted for a further 18%.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +41.9%, 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 more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 8.7% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 9.6%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by New Zealand (+3.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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