Beef and buffalo meat market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the French beef and buffalo meat market volume in physical terms fluctuated, peaking at 1 123 K t in 2019 and 1 111 K t in 2022 before declining to 1 073 K t in 2023. In value terms, the market consistently grew from $5 450 million in 2018 to $7 528 million in 2023, supported by rising production costs for feed, energy, and inputs, which drove up cattle prices.

A key driver was the decline in domestic production due to a shrinking cattle herd, which lost over 730 000 cows between 2018 and 2023. In 2022, finished cattle production fell by 4.3%, exacerbated by climatic factors such as heatwaves and drought. This led to increased imports to maintain market volume, while exports, particularly of young cattle to Italy, remained significant.

Consumer preferences shifted towards processed beef like minced meat and burgers, whose share in consumption rose from 57% in 2017 to 61% in 2022. This demand helped stabilize consumption despite the pandemic and inflation. The introduction of clearer labeling for different meat categories aided product differentiation, but efforts to renew farmer generations proved insufficient to reverse the herd decline.

Production beef and buffalo meat in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France ranked 13th globally in beef and buffalo meat production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

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

France's beef and buffalo meat production increased in 2020 after two years of decline. The country produced 1 077 K t that year, marking a slight year-over-year increase of 0.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 067 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 2.7% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat production in France grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, with output valued at 5 961 M $ US, representing a 7.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.1%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 115 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 9.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase at 8.3%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from France

Exports in kind, K t

France's beef and buffalo meat export volume declined for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 190.1 K t, a 4.6% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 240.4 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 16.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 17.1% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Greece, and Germany were the primary markets for France's beef and buffalo meat exports in kind. Italy accounted for 35.2% of exports, Greece for 20.7%, and Germany for 20.3%, together representing 76.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, France's beef and buffalo meat exports amounted to 1 052 M $ US, a 1.7% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 034 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 136 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.9% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with an 8.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Germany, and Greece consistently led in the value structure of France's beef and buffalo meat exports. Italy held 35.6% of exports in value terms, Germany 22.0%, and Greece 17.9%, collectively accounting for 75.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to France

Imports in kind, K t

France's beef and buffalo meat imports in 2020 were recorded at 211.1 K t, a 17.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.8%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 254.9 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Germany were the largest suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to France in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 27.0% of imports, Ireland for 16.9%, and Germany for 15.8%, together forming 59.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's beef and buffalo meat imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with a total value of 1 471 M $ US, representing an 11.6% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 471 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 9.3%.

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

In 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Germany formed the main group of sources for France's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms. The Netherlands held 28.6% of imports, Ireland 16.6%, and Germany 15.3%, with a combined share of 60.6% of total import flows.

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

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