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Following a dip in the first half of 2018, EU sheep production is to recover in 2019 and expand over the next 10 years.
The latest EU agricultural outlook report published this week said that by 2030 the EU sheep flock is expected to increase to 105m head – an increase of 6.5m more sheep on 2018 figures.
EU production is expected to increase slightly to 950,000t in 2030 (an increase of 47,000t on today’s figures), driven by sustained domestic demand, in a context of limited production increases of world traders.
The report said that production potential will be stimulated by prospects of improved returns for producers, despite the expectation of lower exports.
In addition, production will continue to be supported by the implementation of voluntary coupled support in most sheep-producing member states.
Consumption
Sheepmeat consumption is expected to rise to 1.9kg per capita in 2030, according to the outlook report. This is the equivalent of an increase of 160g/person compared to 2018.
Sheepmeat consumption, which is the lowest compared to other meats, is also relatively weakly affected by price developments.
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