Beef and buffalo meat market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Polish beef and buffalo meat market expanded steadily in volume, growing from 230.8 thousand tons to 298.0 thousand tons, a 29% increase. Market value also rose from $848 million to $976 million over the same period, supported by a gradual rise in domestic production while imports declined.

The market volume plateaued at 298.0 thousand tons in 2022, but its value surged by 40% to $1,371 million, reflecting significant price increases. In 2023, volume contracted to 272.8 thousand tons and value fell to $1,193 million. During this year, industry organizations prepared the 'Polska Wołowina 2030' development strategy aimed at enhancing the sector's long-term competitiveness and sustainability.

In 2024, market volume further decreased to 263.5 thousand tons, while value recovered to $1,292 million. This dynamic was driven by a decline in cattle herds across Poland and the EU, which tightened supply and pushed prices upward, coupled with robust export growth to over 70 countries, including newly opened markets like China and Vietnam.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Poland's beef and buffalo meat production was valued at 2 345 million US dollars, marking a 1.1% increase from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 488 million US dollars, which represented an 8.0% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland ranked 23rd globally in beef and buffalo meat production.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

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

Poland's beef and buffalo meat production volume grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 613.1 thousand tonnes, up 1.5% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 598.9 thousand tonnes, which saw a decline of 3.5%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Poland's beef and buffalo meat exports fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 373.8 thousand tonnes, down 1.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 390.5 thousand tonnes, which had a slight increase of 0.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume terms were not highly concentrated. Italy accounted for 21.3% of exports, Germany for 15.3%, and the Netherlands for 9.6%, together making up just 46.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Poland's beef and buffalo meat export value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 1 547 million US dollars, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 731 million US dollars, which saw a 14.5% increase. The largest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 10.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Poland's beef and buffalo meat export value was distributed across a wide range of partners. Italy represented 21.7% of exports, Germany 14.5%, and Spain 8.2%, together accounting for only 44.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume terms decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 21.6 thousand tonnes, down 1.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 22.4 thousand tonnes, which increased by 6.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume terms were spread across many markets. Germany accounted for 17.0% of imports, the United Kingdom for 13.1%, and Czechia for 12.9%, together making up just 43.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Poland's beef and buffalo meat import value fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 83 million US dollars, down 4.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The peak was in 2018 at 90 million US dollars, which saw a 19.2% increase.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Poland's beef and buffalo meat import value was not concentrated on a few key markets. Germany accounted for 17.7% of imports, the Netherlands for 15.6%, and Czechia for 12.7%, together representing only 46.0% of total flows.

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

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