Beef and buffalo meat market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish beef and buffalo meat market contracted from 2 790 million USD in 2018 to 2 339 million USD in 2020. This decline was driven by a progressive reduction in the number of farms and cattle herds, which limited production capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted supply chains and altered consumption patterns, exacerbating the market downturn.

From 2021 onwards, the market entered a growth phase, reaching 4 314 million USD by 2024. The recovery was supported by a resurgence in domestic consumption from mid-2023, after a period of weakened demand. Export activity strengthened, particularly to non-EU markets like Algeria and Morocco, where local droughts boosted demand for Spanish beef. The sector's adaptation to the European Production Model standards helped maintain access to these foreign markets.

By 2024, the value of beef production had increased by 12%, consolidating Spain's position as a leading exporter. However, ongoing reductions in farm numbers and herds, influenced by geopolitical, climatic, and economic factors, continued to pressure production capacity. Consumer preferences shifted towards products with higher sustainability, traceability, and quality, while price increases in the domestic market, partly due to a lower European cattle census, moderated the pace of consumption growth.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's beef and buffalo meat production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2 640 M $ US, remaining virtually unchanged compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 4.3%, while the peak value was recorded in 2018 at 2 772 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 15.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Spain ranked as the 17th largest producer of beef and buffalo meat from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

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

Following a two-year increase, beef and buffalo meat production in Spain declined. In 2020, Spain produced 751.1 K t, marking a moderate decrease of 5.3% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 793.1 K t, which also experienced the largest increase of 2.2%.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Exported beef and buffalo meat volumes from Spain increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 199.9 K t, showing an advance of 4.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 16%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 162.8 K t, which saw the largest decline of 5.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Italy, and the Netherlands formed the core group of markets for Spain's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume terms. Portugal accounted for 38.1% of exports, Italy for 14.2%, and the Netherlands for 10.4%, together representing 62.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported beef and buffalo meat values from Spain increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 869.5 M $ US, indicating a moderate increase of 4.9% versus the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 19.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Portugal, Italy, and France were the key markets for Spain's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms. Portugal represented 37.2% of exports, Italy 16.2%, and France 10.8%, collectively accounting for 64.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, beef and buffalo meat imports into Spain declined. In 2020, imports stood at 103.9 K t, which is 17.5% less than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -5.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 125.9 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany remained the main suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Spain in volume terms. Poland accounted for 22.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 16.0%, and Germany for 14.3%, jointly forming 52.9% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat imports into Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 568.4 M $ US, corresponding to a strong fall of 23.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 26.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -9.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 797.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 3.0%.

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

In 2017–2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany continued to be the primary suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Spain in value terms. The Netherlands represented 23.1% of imports, Poland 16.0%, and Germany 15.7%, together accounting for 54.9% of total import value.

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

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