Beef and buffalo meat market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the beef and buffalo meat market in Estonia stood at 4 055 tons, operating under newly established EU hygiene rules and origin labeling requirements that set a framework for market transparency and quality. The market volume increased to 4 505 tons in 2019, supported by the ongoing application of the SEUROP quality classification system, which allowed producers to command higher prices for premium meat. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread supply chain disruptions, leading to a market contraction to 3 733 tons.

The market decline continued from 2021 to 2023. The enforcement of the EU's deforestation-free product regulation in 2021 introduced new due diligence obligations for supply chains, likely restricting product availability and contributing to a fall to 2 821 tons. In subsequent years, a noted shift in consumer preferences towards healthier eating and a sustained decrease in domestic meat production, particularly a significant drop in output during 2023, further reduced market supply, with volume falling to 1 805 tons by the end of the period.

In 2024, the market demonstrated a strong recovery, reaching 2 653 tons, which represented a 47% increase from the previous year, indicating a potential market stabilization and adaptation to the earlier regulatory and consumer shifts.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonian beef and buffalo meat production declined after two years of growth. In 2021, output was valued at 6 980 K $ US, representing a significant 31.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 10 183 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 16.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in value, 2018-2021, K $ 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

Estonian beef and buffalo meat production dropped following two years of increases. In 2021, production reached 1 515 t, showing a sharp 35.5% year-on-year decline. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 22.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.1%. The peak was in 2020 at 2 351 t, while the largest growth occurred in 2019 at 19.2%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Estonia's beef and buffalo meat exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 2 943 t, marking a substantial 55.6% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports rose by 84.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 22.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 254 t, with the largest decline that year at 21.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Finland, Latvia, and the Netherlands—collectively accounted for 75.6% of Estonia's total beef and buffalo meat exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Estonia's beef and buffalo meat export value increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 13 014 K $ US, showing a 67.2% gain over the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 67.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.7%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 5 953 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 23.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Finland (37.8% of export value), Latvia (23.1%), and Denmark (12.1%) were the main destinations for Estonia's beef and buffalo meat exports by value, together representing 73.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

Estonia's beef and buffalo meat imports rose after two years of decline. In 2021, imports stood at 4 248 t, indicating a sharp 29.7% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 3 274 t, while the largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 7.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three primary sources—Poland, Lithuania, and Europe, not elsewhere specified—together absorbed 74.6% of Estonia's total beef and buffalo meat imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Estonia's beef and buffalo meat import value increased following a two-year fall. In 2021, imports were recorded at 21 002 K $ US, representing a steep 40.5% rise compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value grew by 15.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.8%. The minimum value was in 2020 at 14 948 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 10.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Poland (39.8% of import value), Lithuania (22.5%), and the Netherlands (7.6%) were the main sources for Estonia's beef and buffalo meat imports by value, collectively accounting for 69.9% of total flows.

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

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