EU: Rabbit Meat Market 2025

Rabbit Meat Market Size in the EU

The EU rabbit meat market fell slightly to $X in 2022, shrinking by -2.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, showed a abrupt downturn. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Rabbit Meat Production in the EU

In value terms, rabbit meat production fell modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Spain (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and France (X tons), with a combined 71% share of total production. Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +0.7%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

The average rabbit meat yield shrank modestly to X kg per head in 2022, dropping by -4.8% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the yield increased by 11%. The level of yield peaked at X kg per head in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum.

The global number of animals slaughtered for rabbit meat production expanded notably to X heads in 2022, growing by 5% compared with 2021. Overall, the number of producing animals, however, showed a noticeable downturn. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Rabbit Meat Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of rabbit or hare meat, when their volume decreased by -18.5% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports saw a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, rabbit meat exports dropped remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 15%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Spain (X tons), distantly followed by Hungary (X tons), France (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Italy (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the largest exporters of rabbit or hare meat, together creating 93% of total exports. Poland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +51.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X), Hungary ($X) and France ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 70% share of total exports. Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

Among the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +52.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 1.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a mild curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the export price increased by 19%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 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 Belgium ($X per ton), while Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Rabbit Meat Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, rabbit meat imports in the European Union contracted to X tons, declining by -12% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports saw a perceptible decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 5.7% 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 reduced to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 13%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by Spain (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Italy (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), France (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented the largest importers of rabbit or hare meat, together creating 85% of total imports.

Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of rabbit or hare meat. At the same time, Poland (+48.4%), Spain (+11.4%) and the Czech Republic (+4.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +48.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Portugal (-2.9%), Italy (-7.0%), Belgium (-8.8%) and France (-12.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Spain, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic increased by +9.2, +6.4, +4.7 and +3.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported rabbit or hare meat in the European Union, comprising 28% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 10% share.

In Germany, rabbit meat imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Belgium (-7.9% per year) and Italy (-3.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 9.2%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the 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 Poland ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

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