Beef and buffalo meat market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Dutch beef and buffalo meat market saw notable shifts. Per capita meat consumption was just over 77 kg in 2018, but beef consumption began to decline, contributing to a market volume drop to 401 thousand tons in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted sales from restaurants to supermarkets, temporarily boosting retail meat sales and helping the market volume recover to 430 thousand tons.

Between 2021 and 2023, market dynamics were driven by price movements and trade opportunities. Record-high beef prices in 2021, coupled with a 7% fall in supermarket meat sales, reduced market volume to 380 thousand tons. Subsequently, Dutch beef production gained momentum as export opportunities to Turkey opened up following policy changes there, supporting market volume growth to 422 thousand tons by 2023 alongside a slight rise in overall per capita meat consumption.

In 2024, the market volume contracted sharply to 324 thousand tons, marking a significant downturn after the previous year's expansion.

Production beef and buffalo meat in the Netherlands

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two years of decline, beef and buffalo meat production in the Netherlands rebounded. In 2021, output reached 2 314 million US dollars, marking a significant 15.3% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 007 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands ranked 28th globally in beef and buffalo meat production.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2018-2021

In 2021, the Netherlands produced 473.6 thousand tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, representing a moderate 5.0% decrease from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production fell by 10.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 3.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 471.5 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 10.7%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the biggest increase at 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, the Netherlands exported 446.3 thousand tonnes of beef and buffalo meat, showing a 5.8% increase compared to 2020. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 422.0 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 461.1 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with an 8.5% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, France, and Italy were the top destinations for Dutch beef and buffalo meat exports by volume. Germany accounted for 28.7% of exports, France for 15.4%, and Italy for 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented 56.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of decline, the value of beef and buffalo meat exports from the Netherlands recovered. In 2021, exports totaled 3 190 million US dollars, reflecting a strong 24.9% year-over-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 9.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 555 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, France, and Italy were the leading markets for Dutch beef and buffalo meat exports by value. Germany accounted for 27.8% of export value, France for 14.9%, and Italy for 12.7%. Combined, these three countries made up 55.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Imports beef and buffalo meat to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Beef and buffalo meat imports into the Netherlands declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 352.7 thousand tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 7.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 2.6%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 390.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 9.5% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Belgium, and Poland were key suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to the Netherlands by volume. Germany accounted for 22.6% of imports, Belgium for 13.8%, and Poland for 10.2%. However, their combined share reached only 46.5% of total imports, with the remaining 53.5% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of beef and buffalo meat imports into the Netherlands increased. In 2021, imports totaled 1 923 million US dollars, reflecting a 14.5% year-over-year rise. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 2.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 680 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, imports of beef and buffalo meat by value were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 18.2% of import value, Belgium for 12.1%, and Ireland for 10.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 40.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021