Beef and buffalo meat market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Finnish beef and buffalo meat market showed considerable volatility. In 2018, the market volume reached 115.5 thousand tons, influenced by moderate price trends in Europe and tightening competition across the continent. Consumer preferences were simultaneously shifting towards lighter and paler meat products, shaping demand. The market then contracted sharply in 2019 to 81.4 thousand tons before recovering to 98.2 thousand tons in 2020.

From 2021 onward, structural changes in meat production and rising cost pressures on domestic producers began to affect output. This was accompanied by an increase in retail meat prices and evolving consumption habits, which regulated demand. After peaking at 103.3 thousand tons in 2022, the physical market volume declined to 87.3 thousand tons by 2024. In value terms, the market continued to expand until 2023, reaching $622.8 million, reflecting the impact of higher prices.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Finland's beef and buffalo meat production was valued at 484.1 million US dollars, showing a modest 7.3% increase from 2019. The maximum value occurred in 2018 at 576.7 million US dollars, while the minimum was in 2019 at 451.3 million US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 21.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

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

In 2020, Finland produced 88.5 thousand tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, marking a substantial 11.7% rise from the previous year. The maximum production was in 2018 at 100.4 thousand tonnes, and the minimum was in 2019 at 79.2 thousand tonnes. Over 2017-2020, production increased by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The largest increase was in 2018 at 16.7%, while the largest decline was in 2019 at 21.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Finland's beef and buffalo meat exports showed volatility from 2017 to 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference between the peak and trough. In 2020, exports reached 5,560 tonnes, reflecting a controlled 7.9% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 6,038 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 75.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark and Sweden were the primary destinations for Finland's beef and buffalo meat exports in kind, together accounting for 94.9% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

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

World map of product's exports from Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of gains, Finland's beef and buffalo meat exports declined in 2020, amounting to 31,279 thousand US dollars, a 6.2% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2019 at 33,360 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 60.5%. Over 2017-2020, exports increased by 85.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Denmark and Sweden remained the main buyers of beef and buffalo meat from Finland in value terms, together accounting for 93.4% of total exports, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

World map of product's exports from Finland in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Finland

Imports in kind, t

Finland's beef and buffalo meat imports exhibited volatility from 2017 to 2020, with a 2.3-fold variation between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2019. In 2020, imports amounted to 15,184 tonnes, reflecting a steep 85.7% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 8,176 tonnes, and the maximum was in 2018 at 18,539 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 55.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Denmark, and Germany were the main sources for Finland's beef and buffalo meat imports in kind, accounting for 29.9%, 29.1%, and 11.5% respectively, together making up 70.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Finland's beef and buffalo meat imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 76,057 thousand US dollars, a moderate 4.0% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2018 at 98,552 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 20.0%. Over 2017-2020, imports decreased by 7.4%, equating to a 2.5% annualized rate. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 19.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Finland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over 2017-2020, Poland, Denmark, and Germany were the main sources for Finland's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, accounting for 26.4%, 19.2%, and 15.3% respectively, together absorbing 60.9% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Finland in value, 2017-2020