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Germany - Beef (Cattle Meat) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: May 1, 2025

Germany - Beef (Cattle Meat) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Jan 23, 2025

Germany's Beef Imports Decline Significantly to $2.1 Billion in 2024

Germany Beef Imports

In 2024, imports of beef (cattle meat) into Germany contracted to 254K tons, reducing by -13.4% on 2023 figures. In general, imports continue to indicate a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 9.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at 370K tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, beef imports reduced to $2.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2024. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 9.7%. Imports peaked at $2.5B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.Germany Beef Imports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYImport Value of Beef in Germany (million USD)
20142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Netherlands584550553588592617689750767719596
Argentina312264277292303301188215255273296
Austria172153149170164168176215265243233
Poland151156124171175189223236287250218
France203208201211222210228250237232202
Belgium91.288.398.7107102109116146166168135
Ireland150131138143143139145170169146121
Others607549572582567481339328386353347
Total2,2702,0972,1132,2642,2682,2142,1052,3092,5322,3832,148

Imports by Country

the Netherlands (70K tons), Poland (36K tons) and Austria (34K tons) were the main suppliers of beef imports to Germany, together accounting for 55% of total imports. France, Argentina, Belgium and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

From 2014 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Argentina (with a CAGR of +1.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($596M) constituted the largest supplier of beef (cattle meat) to Germany, comprising 28% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($296M), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Austria, with an 11% share.

From 2014 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value from the Netherlands was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Argentina (-0.5% per year) and Austria (+3.1% per year).

Imports by Type

In 2024, fresh or chilled boneless cuts of bovine meat (137K tons) constituted the largest type of beef (cattle meat) supplied to Germany, with a 54% share of total imports. Moreover, fresh or chilled boneless cuts of bovine meat exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, fresh or chilled bone-in cuts (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses) of bovine meat (49K tons), threefold. Frozen boneless cuts of bovine meat (46K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 18% share.

From 2014 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of fresh or chilled boneless cuts of bovine meat imports stood at +1.2%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: fresh or chilled bone-in cuts (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses) of bovine meat (-6.0% per year) and frozen boneless cuts of bovine meat (-1.1% per year).

In value terms, fresh or chilled boneless cuts of bovine meat ($1.4B) constituted the largest type of beef (cattle meat) supplied to Germany, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by fresh or chilled bone-in cuts (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses) of bovine meat ($305M), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by frozen boneless cuts of bovine meat, with a 14% share.

Import Prices by Country

In 2024, the beef price stood at $8,455 per ton (CIF, Germany), growing by 4% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 13% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($12,831 per ton), while the price for Denmark ($5,380 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2014 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the beef market in Germany. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • FCL 947 - Buffalo meat
  • FCL 867 - Meat of cattle

Country coverage:

  • Germany

Data coverage:

  • Market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Trade (exports and imports) in Germany
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE
    3. TRADE BALANCE
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. COUNTRIES WITH TOP YIELDS
    4. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    5. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION, PRODUCING ANIMALS AND YIELD

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    3. Market Value, 2012–2024
    4. Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    2. Market Value, 2012–2024
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
    7. Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2030
    10. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
    11. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
    12. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
    13. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
    14. Production Volume And Growth
    15. Yield And Growth
    16. Exports And Growth
    17. Export Prices And Growth
    18. Market Size And Growth
    19. Per Capita Consumption
    20. Imports And Growth
    21. Import Prices
    22. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    23. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    24. Producing Animals Slaughtered, 2012–2024
    25. Yield, 2012–2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    28. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    29. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    30. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    31. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    34. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    35. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    36. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    37. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

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