Beef and buffalo meat market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Eastern Europe showed relative stability in physical volume between 2018 and 2023, beginning at 1 612 thousand tonnes. The period opened with increased interest from U.S. agricultural companies and exporters seeking stable access to the EU-influenced region, highlighting its growing integration into global supply chains. Market volume saw a modest increase in 2019 before a dip in 2020, which was followed by a steady recovery over the next three years, reaching 1 617 thousand tonnes by 2023.

In value terms, the market experienced significant growth, rising from 7.0 billion USD in 2020 to 9.2 billion USD in 2023. This surge reflected substantially higher beef prices, which were influenced by broader regional production trends. By 2024, industry reports noted a divergence in production, with growth in Russia contrasting with a decline in the EU, a factor that continued to support price levels across the region. Concurrently, social media began playing a more pronounced role in shaping consumer behavior and opening new product segments.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Beef and buffalo meat production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1,821 thousand tons, marking a 2.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of beef and buffalo meat output in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached 7,871 million US dollars, up 1.7% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 8,000 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 3.2% drop. The most significant increase was in 2018, with a 14.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of beef and buffalo meat from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 545.8 thousand tons, showing a modest gain of 0.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 3.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.2%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 542.2 thousand tons, while the peak was in 2018 at 570.4 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.9% drop, and the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 0.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for beef and buffalo meat from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was diverse. Italy accounted for 13.4% of exports in kind, Germany for 9.9%, and the Netherlands for 7.7%, together making up only 31.0% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the export value of beef and buffalo meat from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 2,359 million US dollars, remaining stable compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 2.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,587 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 9.1% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 12.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of partners. Italy contributed 14.4% of exports in value, Germany 9.9%, and the Netherlands 6.5%, jointly accounting for only 30.7% of total flows. The remaining 69.3% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Imported volumes of beef and buffalo meat into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 294.8 thousand tons, down 24.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 31.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of beef and buffalo meat to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were spread across many countries. Paraguay accounted for 18.6% of imports in kind, Brazil for 14.7%, and Argentina for 4.6%, together making up only 38.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat shipments into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) from abroad declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 1,445 million US dollars, showing a 12.8% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 18.7%, with an annualized decline of 6.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,877 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 5.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of beef and buffalo meat to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not heavily concentrated. Paraguay accounted for 17.5% of imports in value, Brazil for 13.6%, and the Netherlands for 5.3%, together capturing only 36.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020