Netherlands: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in the Netherlands

The Dutch beef market rose slightly to $X in 2021, growing by 4% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the market value increased by 9% against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Beef Production in the Netherlands

In value terms, beef production declined slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 12%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the average beef yield in the Netherlands shrank to X kg per head, standing approx. at the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 3.7%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per head, leveling off in the following year.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for beef production in the Netherlands; standing approx. at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the number of producing animals increased by 7.1% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for beef production peaked at X heads in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Beef Exports

Exports from the Netherlands

Beef exports from the Netherlands rose modestly to X tons in 2021, increasing by 3.6% against 2020. In general, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 4.5%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, beef exports surged to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main destinations of beef exports from the Netherlands, together comprising 56% of total exports. Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, the UK, Portugal, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic and Croatia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +12.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), France ($X) and Italy ($X) were the largest markets for beef exported from the Netherlands worldwide, with a combined 55% share of total exports. Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal, the UK, Greece, the Czech Republic, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

The Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +11.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 16% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bosnia and Herzegovina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Portugal (+3.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports into the Netherlands

In 2021, purchases abroad of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -0.6% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 2.5%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef imports reached $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main suppliers of beef imports to the Netherlands, together accounting for 44% of total imports. Ireland, Italy, Spain, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, France, Austria, the UK and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 45%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Uruguay (with a CAGR of +11.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest beef suppliers to the Netherlands were Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and Ireland ($X), with a combined 37% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Argentina, Uruguay, Poland, the United States, Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, Austria and the UK, which together accounted for a further 50%.

Among the main suppliers, Uruguay, with a CAGR of +10.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average beef import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+3.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :