Italy: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2024

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Italy

In 2023, the Italian lamb and sheep meat market increased by X% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, saw a perceptible decrease. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Italy

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production stood at $X in 2023 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Lamb and sheep meat production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Italy was estimated at X kg per head in 2023, remaining stable against 2022. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the average lamb and sheep meat yield hit record highs at X kg per head in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, the yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2023, number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Italy reduced modestly to X heads, approximately equating the previous year. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals showed a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number attained the maximum level at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Italy

In 2023, the amount of lamb and sheep meat exported from Italy fell slightly to X tons, declining by X% on 2022 figures. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by X%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2022, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports rose to $X in 2023. Overall, exports, however, posted strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2023 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons) was the main destination for lamb and sheep meat exports from Italy, with a X% share of total exports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat exports to Spain exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Bahrain (X tons), with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume to Spain totaled X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (X% per year) and Bahrain (X% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the key foreign market for lamb and sheep meat exports from Italy, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by Croatia, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Spain stood at X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (X% per year) and Croatia (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the average lamb and sheep meat export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Croatia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Oman (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Italy

Lamb and sheep meat imports into Italy expanded sharply to X tons in 2023, picking up by X% against 2022. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of X%. Imports peaked in 2023 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports expanded to $X in 2023. Overall, total imports indicated pronounced growth 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 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), Spain (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main suppliers of lamb and sheep meat imports to Italy, with a combined X% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by France (with a CAGR of X%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lamb and sheep meat suppliers to Italy were France ($X), Spain ($X) and the UK ($X), together accounting for X% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, France, with a CAGR of X%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 average lamb and sheep meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2023, falling by X% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by X%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2022, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was New Zealand ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform