Search our website enhanced by Google.
EU sheep meat market summary, 2021 so far
Thursday, 4 November 2021
Sheep meat production in the EU has increased so far in 2021. Combined with an overall reduction in traded volumes, this suggests demand in the bloc may have fallen.
In the year to July, the EU produced 254,000 tonnes of sheep meat, a 1% increase compared with a year earlier. Spain, the bloc’s biggest producer, increased production by 5% to 72,000 tonnes. France upped production too, by 4% to 53,000 tonnes. In Ireland, production has followed a similar pattern to the UK, falling by 10% to 34,000 tonnes.
According to data from Eurostat, external trade has fallen in the year to July. Imports of sheep meat are dominated by two suppliers, the UK with 50% market share and New Zealand with just over 40%. Volumes from both have fallen to make a combined drop of around 20%. In the case of New Zealand, relatively stable total exports over the period, but with more directed towards China and the US, meaning limited volumes available for Europe (and the UK). In the case of the UK itself, logistical difficulties immediately following Brexit, lower production and high prices have all contributed to the lower volumes.
Taking production and trade together suggests that consumption of sheep meat overall in the bloc has decreased. Despite the rise in domestic production, the tighter supply situation overall has supported prices across the region, indicating that while less sheep meat may have been consumed, it may not be because of a lack of demand for it.
Sign up for regular updates
You can subscribe to receive Beef and Lamb market news straight to your inbox. Simply fill in your contact details on our online form.
While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.
All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.