Sheep populations are stabilizing

No further reductions in the new EU member states

The very significant reduction in sheep stocks in the Eastern European countries has apparently stopped. New data from Eurostat show that sheep stocks in the new EU member states could at least be maintained and in some cases even rebuilt. This is particularly true of Hungary. The stable price level in the EU, but also in part an expected premium entitlement, are likely to have favored this development.

According to the new data from Eurostat, the Hungarian sheep population is currently estimated at almost 1,3 million animals. This makes Hungary the country with the highest number of sheep among the new EU members. Already in 2001 the mark of one million animals could be passed and thus the volume of previous years could be aimed for again. The production of mutton and lamb in Hungary has reached around 9.000 tons in recent years. This contrasted with a consumption of around 8.000 tons.

Hungary with growing surpluses

The per capita consumption of mutton and lamb in Hungary is significantly less than one kilogram. Despite the geographical proximity to the countries of the Balkans, the consumption habits are obviously more comparable to those in Germany, because the annual per capita consumption in this country is a little more than one kilogram. In Serbia-Montenegro and Romania, Hungary's neighboring countries, consumption ranges from two to almost three kilograms. The recent increase in animal stocks suggests that Hungarian suppliers will be more present on the EU market than before. So far, there has hardly been any sign of a greater supply to Germany. However, the Italian and Austrian markets, where prices are traditionally well above the German level, are likely to be more interesting for Hungarian providers.

Polish offer significantly smaller

Sheep stocks in Poland are much lower than in Hungary. In recent years, a little more than 330.000 animals have been counted. As a result, the long-lasting reduction in inventories could also be stopped in Poland. In 1997 there were more than twice as many animals as today.

In contrast to the other new EU countries, however, Polish lambs have been imported to Germany on a large scale in recent years. The high point of this trade was certainly the year 2001. At that time, imports from the British Isles collapsed as a result of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain. Lamb deliveries from Poland to Germany rose to a record level of almost 70.000 animals. In other years, so many lambs did not even come to Germany from all over the EU. In the meantime, this trade has declined significantly again. More recent figures suggest that annual imports are likely to be below the 10.000 head limit.

Market in Slovakia balanced overall

An increase in sheep stocks was also recently recorded in Slovakia. As in many other countries in Eastern Europe, this was preceded by a long-term reduction in stocks. 326.000 sheep are now being kept again, which is around 10.000 more than in previous years. Unlike in Hungary, however, there is hardly any foreign trade potential from production and consumption. The production, which is estimated at around 2.000 tons a year, corresponds essentially to the consumption within the country.

The trend in the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania was roughly the same as in the other new EU member states. In 1997 more than 100.000 sheep were counted, after that the number dropped to 70.000 animals. According to the new data from Eurostat, a total of 88.000 animals are now being registered again. This means that the production of sheep and lamb remains adapted to the usual consumption there.

Source: Bonn [ZmP]