Beef and buffalo meat market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the German beef and buffalo meat market showed initial growth, with volume rising from 1 660 thousand tonnes to 1 721 thousand tonnes in 2019, supported by an ongoing industry consolidation into larger, more specialized farms that enhanced production efficiency. However, the market volume fell to 1 615 thousand tonnes in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic caused short-term demand fluctuations and supply chain disruptions.

A continued shift in consumer preferences towards flexitarian diets reduced overall meat consumption, contributing to a further market contraction. Volume dropped sharply to 1 179 thousand tonnes in 2021 and reached a low of 1 137 thousand tonnes in 2022.

Recovery began in 2023, with market volume increasing to 1 191 thousand tonnes and reaching 1 253 thousand tonnes in 2024. This rebound was driven by a 2.5% rise in beef production in the first half of 2024 and growing demand for high-quality beef from the gastronomy sector and export markets, supported by moderate consumer price increases.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's beef and buffalo meat production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 4 751 million US dollars, marking a slight 2.8% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 228 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 5.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 6.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Germany ranked as the 9th largest producer of beef and buffalo meat between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

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

Following two years of growth, Germany's beef and buffalo meat production volume turned downward. In 2020, the country produced 1 504 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate decline of 8.0% compared to the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production actually increased by 13%, averaging a 4.2% annual growth rate. The peak was reached in 2019 with 1 634 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 18.5%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's beef and buffalo meat exports stood at 238.6 thousand tonnes, representing a significant 12.8% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 17.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.1%. The only increase during this period was a modest 0.6% in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Italy consistently led as the top destinations for Germany's beef and buffalo meat exports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 29.3% of exports, France for 13.8%, and Italy for 10.2%, together making up 53.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's beef and buffalo meat exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 142 million US dollars, a sharp 17.5% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 21.7%, with an average annual decline of 7.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 492 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 2.2% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's beef and buffalo meat exports reached a wide range of markets. The Netherlands, France, and Denmark were the top destinations by value, accounting for 21.9%, 14.6%, and 11.5% of exports respectively, but together they represented only 48.1% of total export value. The remaining 51.9% was distributed among numerous smaller markets, highlighting the diversity of Germany's export partners.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany imported 350.0 thousand tonnes of beef and buffalo meat in 2020, down 3.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 at 4.2%, while imports saw a slight increase of 1.9% in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and France were the main sources of beef and buffalo meat imports into Germany by volume. The Netherlands supplied 29.3% of imports, Poland 13.2%, and France 10.8%, collectively accounting for 53.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's beef and buffalo meat imports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 2 107 million US dollars, a 4.9% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 7.0%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 2 268 million US dollars, which also saw a marginal increase of 0.2% that year.

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

The value-based import structure from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of trading partners. The Netherlands, Argentina, and France were the top sources, accounting for 27.2%, 12.9%, and 9.8% of imports respectively, but together they made up only 49.9% of total import value. The remaining 50.1% was spread across many smaller markets, underscoring the broad range of Germany's import sources.

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

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