Eastern Europe: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European beef market dropped to $X in 2021, reducing by -5.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a noticeable decline. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Beef Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, beef production shrank modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of beef production was Russia (X tons), comprising approx. 53% of total volume. Moreover, beef production in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Poland (X tons), threefold. Belarus (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.

In Russia, beef production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Poland (+4.2% per year) and Belarus (+1.9% per year).

The average beef yield reached X kg per head in 2021, growing by 1.9% compared with the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 6.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the beef yield hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for beef production in Eastern Europe; standing approx. at the previous year. In general, the number of producing animals recorded a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 2.7%. As a result, the number of animals produced attained the peak level of X heads. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of this number failed to regain momentum.

Beef Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

Beef exports was estimated at X tons in 2021, with an increase of 4.9% compared with the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 21%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, beef exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some 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

In 2021, Poland (X tons) represented the key exporter of beef (cattle meat), making up 56% of total exports. Belarus (X tons) took a 23% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Russia (4.8%) and Lithuania (4.7%). Ukraine (X tons), Latvia (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to beef exports from Poland stood at +4.2%. At the same time, Russia (+51.5%), Ukraine (+5.7%), Belarus (+4.4%), Latvia (+3.8%) and Lithuania (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Russia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +51.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Hungary (-1.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Russia (+4.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) remains the largest beef supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belarus ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Russia, with a 6.8% share.

In Poland, beef exports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Belarus (+1.6% per year) and Russia (+54.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate 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.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, purchases abroad of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -7.4% to X tons, falling for the eighth consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, imports continue to indicate a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 1.1% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef imports amounted to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.5%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Russia was the main importer of beef (cattle meat) in Eastern Europe, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 59% of total imports in 2021. The Czech Republic (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Poland (6.2%) and Romania (5%). Slovakia (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to beef imports into Russia stood at -11.7%. At the same time, Slovakia (+8.9%), the Czech Republic (+8.0%), Poland (+7.4%), Romania (+6.2%), Hungary (+4.8%) and Bulgaria (+4.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovakia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +8.9% from 2012-2021. While the share of the Czech Republic (+8.5 p.p.), Poland (+4.6 p.p.), Romania (+3.6 p.p.), Slovakia (+3 p.p.), Hungary (+2.6 p.p.) and Bulgaria (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Russia (-30 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Russia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported beef (cattle meat) in Eastern Europe, comprising 54% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Czech Republic ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with a 6% share.

In Russia, beef imports contracted by an average annual rate of -12.7% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Czech Republic (+7.3% per year) and Poland (+8.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Slovakia ($X per ton) and the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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