EU: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2024

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in the EU

For the fourth consecutive year, the EU lamb and sheep meat market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by X% to $X in 2023. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in the EU

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production contracted to $X in 2023 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2022, and then reduced in the following year.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2023 were Spain (X tons), France (X tons) and Ireland (X tons), with a combined X% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of X%), while production for the other leaders experienced a decline in the production figures.

The average lamb and sheep meat yield amounted to X kg per head in 2023, remaining relatively unchanged against 2022. Over the period under review, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the lamb and sheep meat yield hit record highs at X kg per head in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2023, the yield failed to regain momentum.

The global number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production totaled X heads in 2023, approximately mirroring 2022 figures. Overall, the number of producing animals, however, saw a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports in the EU

In 2023, the amount of lamb and sheep meat exported in the European Union rose significantly to X tons, increasing by X% on 2022. Total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by X% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports declined modestly to $X in 2023. In general, exports posted a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2022, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2023, Ireland (X tons), Spain (X tons) and France (X tons) represented the main exporter of lamb and sheep meat in the European Union, creating X% of total export. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), generating a X% share of total exports. Belgium (X tons), Greece (X tons) and Germany (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of X%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ireland ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2023, with a combined X% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, France, with a CAGR of X%, 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 2023, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, waning by X% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2023, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2022, and then dropped in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports in the EU

In 2023, purchases abroad of lamb and sheep meat increased by X% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2023; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports expanded significantly to $X in 2023. Total imports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports increased by X% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by X%. The level of import peaked in 2023 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2023, France (X tons), distantly followed by Germany (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the major importers of lamb and sheep meat, together making up X% of total imports. The following importers - Sweden (X tons) and Portugal (X tons) - together made up X% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of X%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lamb and sheep meat importing markets in the European Union were France ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2023, waning by X% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2023, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by X% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2022, and then shrank in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2023, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Belgium ($X per ton), while Italy ($X per ton) and Sweden ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Portugal (X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform