Overview of the Global Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat

In 2020, the global lamb and sheep meat market increased by X% to $X, rising for the fourth year in a row after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2020; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the market value increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level in 2020 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production rose slightly to $X in 2020 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a noticeable expansion from 2007 to 2020: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, production increased by +X% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs in 2020 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

China (X tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of lamb and sheep meat production, comprising approx. X% of total volume. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Australia (X tonnes), fourfold. New Zealand (X tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a X% share.

In China, lamb and sheep meat production expanded at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2020. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Australia (+X% per year) and New Zealand (-X% per year).

The global average lamb and sheep meat yield totaled X kg per head in 2020, with an increase of X% on the previous year. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average lamb and sheep meat yield attained the peak level at X kg per head in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2020, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production was estimated at X heads in 2020, increasing by X% compared with 2019. This number increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2020; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the number of producing animals increased by X% year-to-year. The global producing animals peaked in 2020 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of lamb and sheep meat production was China (X tonnes), comprising approx. X% of total volume. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Australia (X tonnes), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by New Zealand (X tonnes), with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to +X%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Australia (+X% per year) and New Zealand (-X% per year).

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports

In 2020, overseas shipments of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -X% to X tonnes for the first time since 2016, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global exports hit record highs at X tonnes in 2019, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports shrank modestly to $X in 2020. In general, total exports indicated a measured expansion from 2007 to 2020: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, global exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Australia (X tonnes) and New Zealand (X tonnes) dominates lamb and sheep meat exports structure, together comprising X% of total exports. The UK (X tonnes) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a X% share, followed by Ireland (X%). The following exporters - Spain (X tonnes) and the Netherlands (X tonnes) - each amounted to a X% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2020, the biggest increases were in the Netherlands, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lamb and sheep meat supplying countries worldwide were Australia ($X), New Zealand ($X) and the UK ($X), with a combined X% share of global exports. These countries were followed by Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain, which together accounted for a further X terms of the main exporting countries, the Netherlands saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2020, the average lamb and sheep meat export price amounted to $X per tonne, with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2020, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 an increase of X% year-to-year. As a result, export price reached the peak level of $X per tonne. from 2012 to 2020, the growth in terms of the average export prices failed to regain the momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per tonne), while Spain ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports

In 2020, overseas purchases of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -X% to X tonnes for the first time since 2016, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at X tonnes in 2019, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports fell slightly to $X in 2020. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a temperate expansion from 2007 to 2020: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Global imports peaked at $X in 2019, and then declined in the following year.

Imports by Country

China was the main importer of lamb and sheep meat in the world, with the volume of imports recording X tonnes, which was approx. X% of total imports in 2020. The United States (X tonnes) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a X% share, followed by France (X%) and the UK (X%). Germany (X tonnes), the United Arab Emirates (X tonnes), Malaysia (X tonnes), the Netherlands (X tonnes), Iran (X tonnes), South Korea (X tonnes), Canada (X tonnes), Belgium (X tonnes) and Italy (X tonnes) took a little share of total imports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lamb and sheep meat imports, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007 to 2020. At the same time, South Korea (+X%), Iran (+X%), the Netherlands (+X%), Malaysia (+X%), the United States (+X%), Germany (+X%) and the United Arab Emirates (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Canada experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Italy (-X%), France (-X%), Belgium (-X%) and the UK (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+X p.p.), the United States (+X p.p.), the Netherlands (+X p.p.), South Korea (+X p.p.) and Malaysia (+X p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Belgium, France and the UK saw its share reduced by -X%, -X% and -X% from 2007 to 2020, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest lamb and sheep meat importing markets worldwide were China ($X), the United States ($X) and France ($X), with a combined X% share of global imports.

Among the main importing countries, China recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2020, the average lamb and sheep meat import price amounted to $X per tonne, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2020, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 when the average import price increased by X% year-to-year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. from 2012 to 2020, the growth in terms of the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per tonne), while China ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform