Beef and buffalo meat market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the beef and buffalo meat market volume in Czechia grew to 87 481 tons, despite a decline in domestic production linked to shrinking cattle herds and a consumer shift toward cheaper poultry meat. This market expansion was supported by rising imports. The trend reversed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global meat supply chains, causing the market volume to drop to 80 241 tons.

After the pandemic, the market rebounded sharply to 94 289 tons in 2021 as restrictions eased. However, domestic production remained under pressure from cheap imports and an increasing export of live cattle for slaughter abroad. Over 2022-2024, the total market volume stabilized around 91 000 tons, even as domestic production fell by 5.5% in 2022 due to reduced cattle supply and a roughly 20% surge in livestock prices within the EU.

During this period, key market dynamics included a shift toward more economical and attractive packaging, such as vacuum bags, and a growing emphasis on beef quality and precise labeling (e.g., young cow, young bull) to meet consumer demand and maintain competitiveness. These factors, alongside sustained competition from poultry and pork, continued to shape the market's structure and consumption patterns.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Czechia

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output value of beef and buffalo meat in Czechia reached 302.7 million US dollars, marking a 23.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 25.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, when output fell by 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

In 2021, Czechia produced 64 856 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, which represents a 16.4% increase from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 22.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, when production decreased by 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of growth, Czechia's cross-border shipments of beef and buffalo meat declined in 2021. Exports fell to 12 843 tonnes, down 8.6% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports overall increased by 7.5%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 14 056 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 10.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Czechia's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume terms were Slovakia, accounting for 38.5% of exports, the Netherlands at 23.2%, and Poland with 14.4%. Together, these three countries represented 76.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Czechia's foreign beef and buffalo meat supplies increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. Exports amounted to 64.6 million US dollars, up 2.7% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In value terms, the primary markets for Czechia's beef and buffalo meat exports from 2018 to 2021 were Slovakia, which accounted for 48.0% of exports, the Netherlands at 15.6%, and Poland with 12.4%. Combined, these three markets made up 76.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Czechia imported a total of 42 276 tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, showing a modest increase of 9.6% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 3.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 38 558 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 43 853 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 12.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources of beef and buffalo meat imports to Czechia in volume terms were Poland, accounting for 26.1% of imports, Germany at 20.6%, and the Netherlands with 18.4%. Together, these three countries absorbed 65.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Czechia's imported beef and buffalo meat volumes increased in 2021. Imports reached 219.7 million US dollars, up 22.1% from the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 179.9 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In value terms, the leading sources for beef and buffalo meat imports to Czechia from 2018 to 2021 were Poland, accounting for 23.4% of imports, the Netherlands at 20.1%, and Germany with 17.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 60.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021