Beef and buffalo meat market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek beef and buffalo meat market volume increased from 130.4 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 133.7 thousand tonnes in 2019, supported by growing consumer demand for buffalo meat that exceeded domestic production. The launch of the first Greek company specializing in buffalo meat production and standardization in Serres, utilizing local breeding traditions and creating new products like sausages, added to market activity. EU support through income subsidies, market measures, and strict beef traceability labeling under Regulation 1760/2000 provided a stable framework.

In 2020, the COVID-19 health crisis significantly reduced consumption and production, shrinking the market to 125.3 thousand tonnes, although beef maintained an 8% share of domestic output. Recovery began in 2021, with market volume jumping to 135.0 thousand tonnes as demand for buffalo meat remained strong and certification for local products like Serres buffalo meat was introduced to enhance competitiveness. This period also saw efforts to improve beef quality through crossbreeding with modern meat-oriented cattle types.

The rebound continued in 2022, with cattle slaughter volumes rising 17.34% in the first half, helping stabilize the market around 134.5 thousand tonnes. Subsequent years brought further growth: market volume reached 136.9 thousand tonnes in 2023 and 145.7 thousand tonnes in 2024, driven by a substantial expansion in domestic production, which hit 30.6 thousand tonnes in 2024. High demand for certified, quality buffalo meat products persisted, while the market structure remained fragmented with numerous small enterprises.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Greece's beef and buffalo meat production value declined. In 2019, output reached its peak at 77 373 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 73 386 thousand US dollars, representing a 5.2% decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 20.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 21.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

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

After two consecutive years of growth, Greece's beef and buffalo meat production volume declined. In 2019, production peaked at 16 125 metric tons, but in 2020 it dropped to 15 146 metric tons, marking a 6.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 20.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, when production rose by 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, Greece's beef and buffalo meat export volumes increased. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 0.6 thousand metric tons, but by 2020 they had recovered to 0.8 thousand metric tons, representing a substantial 35.3% increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 13.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.8%. The largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 32.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia were the leading buyers of Greek beef and buffalo meat by volume. Cyprus accounted for 31.5% of exports, Bulgaria for 18.7%, and North Macedonia for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented 59.6% of Greece's total beef and buffalo meat exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Greece's beef and buffalo meat export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 3.1 million US dollars, but by 2020 they had grown to 4.0 million US dollars, marking a significant 25.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria were the most significant contributors to Greece's beef and buffalo meat export value. Cyprus accounted for 39.7% of export value, North Macedonia for 11.5%, and Bulgaria for 7.4%. Collectively, these three markets represented 58.6% of Greece's total beef and buffalo meat export value during this period.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Greece's beef and buffalo meat import volumes declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 118.2 thousand metric tons, but by 2020 they had fallen to 111.0 thousand metric tons, representing a 6.1% decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when imports rose by 2.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, the Netherlands, and Italy were the primary sources of beef and buffalo meat imports to Greece by volume. France accounted for 37.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 14.1%, and Italy for 13.6%. Together, these three countries supplied 65.5% of Greece's total beef and buffalo meat imports during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Greece's beef and buffalo meat import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports reached their highest point at 559.2 million US dollars, but by 2020 they had fallen to 508.9 million US dollars, marking a 3.7% decrease from the previous year. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019, when imports dropped by 5.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, when imports rose by 9.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Italy were the main sources of beef and buffalo meat imports to Greece by value. France accounted for 35.9% of import value, the Netherlands for 17.4%, and Italy for 12.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 65.3% of Greece's total beef and buffalo meat import value during this period.

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

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