EU: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU beef market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption showed a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 5.4%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Beef Production in the EU

In value terms, beef production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were France (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Italy (X tons), together accounting for 47% of total production. These countries were followed by Spain, Ireland, Poland and the Netherlands, which together accounted for a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +4.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2021, the average beef yield in the European Union reduced modestly to X kg per head, remaining constant against 2020 figures. In general, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the yield increased by 1.7% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X kg per head in 2020, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for beef production in the European Union reached X heads, stabilizing at 2020 figures. Overall, the number of producing animals, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the number of producing animals increased by 2.5%. The level of producing animals peaked at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Beef Exports

Exports in the EU

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of beef (cattle meat) increased by 4% to X tons in 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 4.2%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, beef exports surged to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Poland (X tons), Ireland (X tons), Germany (X tons), Spain (X tons) and France (X tons) represented roughly 76% of total exports in 2021. Italy (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 5.3% share, followed by Belgium (5.1%).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +5.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest beef supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), Ireland ($X) and Poland ($X), with a combined 54% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +6.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, surging by 16% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Ireland ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

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

Beef Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, beef imports in the European Union stood at X tons, with an increase of 2.8% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, beef imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons), Italy (X tons), Germany (X tons) and France (X tons) represented the largest importer of beef (cattle meat) in the European Union, constituting 61% of total import. Greece (X tons) took a 5.3% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Portugal (5.2%) and Spain (5%). The following importers - Denmark (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Austria (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) - together made up 14% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +8.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest beef importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), Italy ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), with a combined 51% share of total imports. These countries were followed by France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Austria and the Czech Republic, which together accounted for a further 41%.

The Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +7.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of 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 the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 13% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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