Italy: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in Italy

In 2021, the Italian beef market increased by 4.4% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption showed a noticeable curtailment. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Beef Production in Italy

In value terms, beef production expanded markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 19%. Beef production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of beef (cattle meat) in Italy shrank modestly to X kg per head in 2021, waning by -4.1% on 2020 figures. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the yield increased by 6.1% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per head. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the average beef yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for beef production in Italy rose slightly to X heads, picking up by 3% against 2020 figures. In general, the number of producing animals, however, recorded a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the number of producing animals increased by 8.5% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for beef production peaked at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Beef Exports

Exports from Italy

In 2021, shipments abroad of beef (cattle meat) was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, beef exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Greece (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main destinations of beef exports from Italy, with a combined 43% share of total exports. France, Spain, Denmark, Croatia, Slovenia, Sweden, Belgium, Canada, Finland and Angola lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Finland (with a CAGR of +100.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for beef exported from Italy were Germany ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), with a combined 42% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Greece, Spain, Denmark, Croatia, Slovenia, Sweden, Belgium, Canada, Finland and Angola, which together accounted for a further 42%.

Angola, with a CAGR of +78.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average beef export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Canada (+8.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports into Italy

In 2021, approx. X tons of beef (cattle meat) were imported into Italy; flattening at the previous year's figure. In general, imports saw a mild setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 3.3% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, beef imports amounted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a mild reduction. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Poland (X tons), France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of beef imports to Italy, with a combined 52% share of total imports. Spain, Germany, Brazil, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, Denmark and Uruguay lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +6.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest beef suppliers to Italy were the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Poland ($X), together accounting for 49% of total imports. Spain, Ireland, Brazil, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Uruguay and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 43%.

Among the main suppliers, Spain, with a CAGR of +7.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average beef import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 14% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ireland ($X per ton), while the price for Poland ($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 (+1.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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