Italy: Rabbit Meat Market 2025

Rabbit Meat Market Size in Italy

The Italian rabbit meat market fell to $X in 2022, which is down by -3.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a deep contraction. Rabbit meat consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Rabbit Meat Production in Italy

In value terms, rabbit meat production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the production volume increased by 65%. Rabbit meat production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of rabbit or hare meat in Italy amounted to X kg per head in 2022, flattening at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, the yield showed a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the yield increased by 9.1% against the previous year. The rabbit meat yield peaked at X kg per head in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for rabbit meat production in Italy; approximately mirroring 2021. Overall, the number of producing animals saw a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the number of producing animals increased by 4.5%. Over the period under review, this number attained the maximum level at X heads in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Rabbit Meat Exports

Exports from Italy

In 2022, overseas shipments of rabbit or hare meat increased by 2.1% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, total exports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +35.8% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 59%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, rabbit meat exports shrank slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Poland (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Malta (X tons) were the main destinations of rabbit meat exports from Italy, with a combined 58% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +229.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Malta ($X) and Poland ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for rabbit meat exported from Italy worldwide, together comprising 65% of total exports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +174.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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

In 2022, the average rabbit meat export price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -5.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 47%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Vietnam (+5.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Rabbit Meat Imports

Imports into Italy

For the third year in a row, Italy recorded decline in purchases abroad of rabbit or hare meat, which decreased by -21.7% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 14%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, rabbit meat imports declined to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a noticeable curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 9.4%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Spain (X tons), Poland (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of rabbit meat imports to Italy, with a combined 74% share of total imports. Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +12.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest rabbit meat suppliers to Italy were Spain ($X), France ($X) and Poland ($X), with a combined 67% share of total imports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +13.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average rabbit meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 20% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 28%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($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 (+12.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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