Romania: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Romania

In 2021, the Romanian lamb and sheep meat market increased by 23% to $X, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, showed a perceptible slump. Lamb and sheep meat consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Romania

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a slight setback. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Romania rose to X kg per head in 2021, picking up by 2.1% compared with the year before. Overall, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 9.2%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X kg per head. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the average lamb and sheep meat yield remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Romania expanded modestly to X heads, with an increase of 4.2% on 2020 figures. Overall, the number of producing animals, however, saw a mild downturn. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at X heads in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Romania

In 2021, shipments abroad of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -31.8% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, exports, however, saw a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 87%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports declined markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 79%. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons) was the main destination for lamb and sheep meat exports from Romania, accounting for a 43% share of total exports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat exports to Italy exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Oman (X tons), threefold. Kuwait (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Italy totaled +9.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Oman (+84.0% per year) and Kuwait (+20.6% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X) remains the key foreign market for lamb and sheep meat exports from Romania, comprising 48% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Oman ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Kuwait, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Italy amounted to +14.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Oman (+91.0% per year) and Kuwait (+34.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 16% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 19% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bahrain ($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 Qatar (+11.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Romania

In 2021, the amount of lamb and sheep meat imported into Romania soared to X tons, growing by 48% compared with the previous year. In general, imports posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 55% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a prominent expansion. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Greece (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main suppliers of lamb and sheep meat imports to Romania, with a combined 63% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the UK, the Netherlands, Ireland, Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy and France, which together accounted for a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +153.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Greece ($X), Belgium ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) appeared to be the largest lamb and sheep meat suppliers to Romania, together comprising 46% of total imports. The UK, Spain, Germany, Ireland, Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 52%.

Ireland, with a CAGR of +148.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers 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, picking up by 27% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+7.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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