Eastern Europe: Fresh Beef Carcase Market 2025

Fresh Beef Carcase Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European fresh beef carcase market rose notably to $X in 2022, growing by 9.1% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Fresh Beef Carcase Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, fresh beef carcase production rose remarkably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Fresh Beef Carcase Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

For the fourth consecutive year, Eastern Europe recorded decline in shipments abroad of fresh or chilled carcases of beef and veal, which decreased by -15.8% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 20%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fresh beef carcase exports rose modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 17% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Poland prevails in exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 71% of total exports in 2022. Belarus (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Lithuania (X tons). All these countries together took near 17% share of total exports. The following exporters - Latvia (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) - each reached a 9.5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to fresh beef carcase exports from Poland stood at -1.5%. At the same time, Lithuania (+5.5%) and the Czech Republic (+3.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Lithuania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +5.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Latvia (-1.9%), Hungary (-6.2%) and Belarus (-11.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Poland (+13 p.p.), Lithuania (+4.2 p.p.) and the Czech Republic (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Belarus (-14.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) remains the largest fresh beef carcase supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 75% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belarus ($X), with an 8.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Lithuania, with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Poland stood at +1.8%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belarus (-13.2% per year) and Lithuania (+7.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 21% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Poland ($X per ton) and Lithuania ($X per ton), while Latvia ($X per ton) and Belarus ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fresh Beef Carcase Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, purchases abroad of fresh or chilled carcases of beef and veal increased by 18% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 45% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, fresh beef carcase imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 37%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Czech Republic (X tons), Russia (X tons), Poland (X tons), Lithuania (X tons) and Belarus (X tons) represented the major importer of fresh or chilled carcases of beef and veal in Eastern Europe, making up 83% of total import. It was distantly followed by Romania (X tons) and Slovakia (X tons), together committing a 10% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Belarus (with a CAGR of +61.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest fresh beef carcase importing markets in Eastern Europe were the Czech Republic ($X), Poland ($X) and Russia ($X), with a combined 58% share of total imports. Lithuania, Belarus, Romania and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

Belarus, with a CAGR of +51.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 7.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Slovakia ($X per ton), while Belarus ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+6.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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