AM: demand for high-quality Hungarian lamb is growing abroad

By: STA Date: 2025. 09. 05. 09:00

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Sheep farming is one of the most sustainable livestock farming sectors, and the stability of the sector is ensured by significant exports, as Hungarian sheep and lamb meat is increasingly well-known and in demand on the international market – stated Tamás Tarpataki at the opening event of the “Spanish-Hungarian multi-program promoting sheep and lamb consumption” in Budapest, according to a statement sent to MTI by the Ministry of Agriculture (AM).

(Photo: Pixabay)

The Deputy State Secretary responsible for the agricultural market added: it is important that by purchasing domestic lamb meat, consumers can not only access a healthy and high-quality source of protein, but also help Hungarian livestock farmers. According to the information, Tamás Tarpataki explained that domestic livestock farming, including small ruminant farming, has developed a lot in recent years. The sector can be proud that Hungarian lamb is becoming increasingly well-known abroad and in increasing demand. Hungarian producers continue to ship the most to Italy, but there is also significant interest from other Western European countries, including the French, German, Belgian and Dutch markets. Thanks to its excellent quality, Hungarian exports are competitive even with EU imports from New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Hungarian live lamb exports showed significant growth last year: in the first four months of 2024, they increased by 21 percent and their value by 33 percent compared to the same period last year, he added.

According to the Deputy Secretary of State, lamb is beneficial due to its physiological effects, as it is an excellent source of low-cholesterol protein.

He added: the aim of the campaign is not only to encourage consumption, but also to demonstrate that the sheep and goat sector preserves sustainable, valuable traditions, contributes to the protection of biodiversity and the rural ecosystem, and to the economy of sparsely populated areas. The opening event of the Spanish-Hungarian multi-programme promoting sheep and lamb consumption was held in Budapest with EU support, which provides funds for the implementation of common goals between 2025-2027. The campaign of the Sheep and Goat Sectoral Interprofessional Organisation and its Spanish sister organisation, Interovic, aims to increase the consumption of sheep and lamb, reposition the products and address the younger generations – all along the values of sustainability, quality and traditions – the Ministry of Agriculture announced.

MTI