Search our website enhanced by Google.
Supplies of sheep meat in Europe fall
Monday, 7 September 2020
By Rebecca Wright
In the first six months of the year sheep meat production in the EU-27 contracted to around 210,300 tonnes. Production fell in almost all of the five largest sheep meat producing countries, which combined account for 80% of total production.
Production recorded some year-on-year gains during February and March having been at a lower level than usual during those months in 2019. Similar to the UK, production tumbled during April and May largely due to various COVID-19 measures. Production returned to more typical levels during June.
During the first five months of 2020 EU imports of sheep meat have declined 10,800 tonnes, to 54,500 tonnes. The decline is entirely accounted for in a drop in imports from the UK and New Zealand, 7,200 and 3,000 tonnes respectively. Much of the decline came during the height of the pandemic. Volumes from the UK were much quicker to record changes due to the shorter shipping time.
Similar to the UK, demand in Europe declined sharply while countries were in lockdown. Although in the UK some of the lost foodservice demand translated over into retail sales, this was less true on the continent.
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.