Beef and buffalo meat market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the beef and buffalo meat market in Western Europe contracted in physical volume, declining from 3 379 thousand tons to 3 004 thousand tons. This overall reduction in market size occurred alongside a noticeable recovery in market value after 2020, with the value rising to 24 804 million $ US in 2023, indicating a trend of higher prices or a consumer shift towards more expensive product segments.

The market dynamics in the latter part of the period were shaped by broader global and regional shifts. Increased global beef production from major exporters like Brazil and Australia raised the availability of imported meat, influencing trade flows. Within the European Union, a continued trend of herd reduction and declining production reduced the region's share in global beef trade, directly contributing to the lower domestic output and market volume.

Domestic consumption in key Western European markets faced structural decline, pressured by retail price inflation that outpaced the average and a sustained consumer shift towards poultry as the primary meat. Concurrently, growing consumer demand for traceable, sustainable, and premium-quality beef products provided support to the market's value, helping to stabilize the sector despite the falling consumption volumes.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Western 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

Western Europe's beef and buffalo meat production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 501 K t, marking a 3.0% decrease from the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 3 641 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Europe's beef and buffalo meat production value also fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 20 686 M $ US, a slight decline of 0.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 6.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 24 534 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 26.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 15.1% decrease.

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

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 990 K t of beef and buffalo meat, a 10.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 15.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.5%. The largest annual decrease was in 2018 at 12.8%, while 2019 saw the biggest increase of 8.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume were widely distributed among many partners. Italy accounted for 15.6% of exports, Greece for 5.4%, and Denmark for 5.0%, together making up just 26.0% of total flows. The remaining 74.0% went to numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's beef and buffalo meat export value declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 5 851 M $ US, an 8.4% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 11.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The peak value was in 2018 at 6 905 M $ US, which also recorded the largest annual increase of 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's beef and buffalo meat export value was not concentrated in a few key markets. Italy represented 15.9% of exports, Spain 5.5%, and Denmark 5.5%, together accounting for only 26.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Western Europe imported about 753 K t of beef and buffalo meat in 2020, a 22.4% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 25.9%, with an annualized decline rate of 9.5%. The largest annual drop was in 2018 at 24.9%, while 2019 saw the biggest increase of 27.0%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Western Europe's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume were not dominated by any single market. Poland accounted for 10.4% of imports, Ireland for 8.5%, and Italy for 4.8%, together making up just 23.7% of total imports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's beef and buffalo meat import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 5 856 M $ US, an 8.2% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 7.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 6 578 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Western Europe's beef and buffalo meat import value was not concentrated on a few key suppliers. Ireland accounted for 10.6% of imports, Poland for 7.2%, and Argentina for 6.7%, together representing only 24.5% of total flows.

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

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