Eastern Europe: Rabbit Meat Market 2025

Rabbit Meat Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European rabbit meat market amounted to $X in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Rabbit Meat Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, rabbit meat production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 30%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The Czech Republic (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of rabbit meat production, accounting for 44% of total volume. Moreover, rabbit meat production in the Czech Republic exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Russia (X tons), twofold. Ukraine (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in the Czech Republic was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Russia (+1.6% per year) and Ukraine (-2.4% per year).

The average rabbit meat yield shrank to X kg per head in 2022, approximately mirroring the year before. In general, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the yield increased by 2.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the rabbit meat yield reached the peak level at X kg per head in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In 2022, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for rabbit meat production in Eastern Europe; standing approx. at the previous year's figure. Overall, the number of producing animals showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the number of producing animals increased by 1.5%. Over the period under review, this number attained the maximum level at X heads in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Rabbit Meat Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of rabbit or hare meat, when their volume decreased by -10.3% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, rabbit meat exports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 23%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Hungary (X tons) represented the largest exporter of rabbit or hare meat, generating 80% of total exports. Poland (X tons) took a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the Czech Republic (5.7%).

Hungary experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of rabbit or hare meat. At the same time, Poland (+51.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +51.8% from 2012-2022. The Czech Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Poland (+13 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Hungary (-8.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Hungary ($X) remains the largest rabbit meat supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 84% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($X), with an 11% share of total exports.

In Hungary, rabbit meat exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (+52.4% per year) and the Czech Republic (-5.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, waning by -3.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a slight downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per ton), while the Czech Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Rabbit Meat Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

After four years of decline, supplies from abroad of rabbit or hare meat increased by 7% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, rabbit meat imports stood at $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +10.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 60%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Czech Republic (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented the largest importers of rabbit or hare meat in Eastern Europe, together committing 58% of total imports. Bulgaria (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with an 11% share, followed by Slovakia (8.7%), Russia (7.2%) and Romania (5.9%). Lithuania (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +48.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest rabbit meat importing markets in Eastern Europe were the Czech Republic ($X), Poland ($X) and Bulgaria ($X), together accounting for 70% of total imports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +46.0%, 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, dropping by -4.3% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 18%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined modestly in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+4.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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