Poland: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in Poland

In 2021, the Polish beef market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -1.9% against 2018 indices. Beef consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Beef Production in Poland

In value terms, beef production reduced modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -7.5% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the average beef yield in Poland fell to X kg per head, with a decrease of -1.5% against the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the yield increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average beef yield reached the peak level at X kg per head in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for beef production in Poland; therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year's figure. This number increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 21%. The number of animals slaughtered for beef production peaked at X heads in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Beef Exports

Exports from Poland

In 2021, the amount of beef (cattle meat) exported from Poland shrank to X tons, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, total exports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +9.0% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Italy (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of beef exports from Poland, together accounting for 48% of total exports. These countries were followed by Spain, France, the UK, Israel, the Czech Republic, Greece, Austria, Japan, Sweden and Denmark, which together accounted for a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Japan (with a CAGR of +134.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for beef exported from Poland were Italy ($X), Germany ($X) and Spain ($X), together accounting for 46% of total exports. The Netherlands, France, the UK, Israel, the Czech Republic, Greece, Sweden, Japan, Austria and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Japan, with a CAGR of +151.3%, saw 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

The average beef export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 21% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Israel ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($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 Japan (+7.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports into Poland

After two years of decline, purchases abroad of beef (cattle meat) increased by 6.3% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 50%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest beef supplier to Poland, accounting for a 26% share of total imports. Moreover, beef imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Czech Republic (X tons), twofold. The Netherlands (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Germany totaled +18.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Czech Republic (+3.2% per year) and the Netherlands (+19.0% per year).

In value terms, the largest beef suppliers to Poland were Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X), together comprising 54% of total imports. These countries were followed by Ireland, Austria, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania, Belgium, the UK and Slovakia, which together accounted for a further 35%.

Austria, with a CAGR of +188.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a mild increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 14% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovakia (+4.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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