Beef and buffalo meat market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the beef and buffalo meat market in Northern Europe experienced notable volatility. The market volume initially remained stable near 1.88 million tons, but a significant expansion to over 2 million tons occurred in 2021, followed by a sharp contraction in the subsequent two years. This trajectory was primarily driven by evolving consumer habits and shifts in the supply structure.

A sustained decline in red meat consumption, noted from 2019 onward, gradually pressured the market. The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted domestic production in 2020, though increased imports offset this to maintain volume. The market peak in 2021 was achieved through a substantial rise in imported beef, compensating for continued weak local output. However, from 2022, a strong consumer shift towards poultry, coupled with ongoing reductions in cattle production, led to a steep fall in market volume, which dropped to 1.7 million tons by 2023.

Regulatory interventions aimed at balancing the market were implemented, including the reduction of import duties on beef to zero in May 2023. Despite these measures, consumption of beef reached its lowest level in decades by the end of the period, reflecting the persistent change in dietary preferences.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Northern Europe

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, Northern Europe produced 2,071 thousand tons of beef and buffalo meat, representing a 3.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 5.6%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 1.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 4.9% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Europe's beef and buffalo meat production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at $11,347 million, down 2.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 8.4%, averaging an annual decline of 2.9%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at $12,477 million. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.4% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 0.7%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, beef and buffalo meat exports from Northern Europe declined. In 2020, export volume reached 583.7 thousand tons, reflecting a modest 2.5% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 598.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, beef and buffalo meat exports from Northern Europe were widely distributed across partner countries. The Netherlands accounted for 12.0% of exports, Germany for 8.3%, and Italy for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 27.4% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat exports in Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at $3,198 million, down 2.0% from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at $3,471 million. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.9% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 7.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms remained highly diversified. The Netherlands accounted for 11.2% of export value, Italy for 9.6%, and France for 7.9%. Combined, these three countries represented just 28.7% of total flows, with the remaining 71.3% distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of contraction, Northern Europe's beef and buffalo meat imports increased. In 2020, the region imported 414.1 thousand tons, marking a significant 23.9% gain compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.4%, averaging an annual decline of 3.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 334.2 thousand tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 20.0% drop.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that beef and buffalo meat imports to Northern Europe were not concentrated on a few key sources. The Netherlands accounted for 12.3% of imports, Germany for 10.6%, and Poland for 9.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 32.5% of total import flows, reflecting a broad distribution across multiple partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of beef and buffalo meat to Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to $2,474 million, showing a slight contraction of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.9%, averaging an annual decline of 3.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at $2,961 million. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 15.5% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 7.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of imports in value terms was highly diversified. The Netherlands accounted for 14.0% of import value, Germany for 10.3%, and Poland for 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 32.7% of total flows, with the remaining 67.3% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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