Fresh or chilled beef market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Austria's fresh or chilled beef market increased from 76.4 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 86.9 thousand metric tons in 2020, while its value fell from $532.7 million to $458.2 million over the same period, reflecting a notable decrease in average prices or a shift toward lower-value segments.

After 2020, import volumes declined to a low of 31.4 thousand metric tons in 2023 before recovering to 38.4 thousand metric tons in 2024, coinciding with slightly declining cattle slaughter and rising production costs due to higher feed and energy expenses. Consumer preferences increasingly favored premium and organic beef, supporting demand for higher-quality products despite these market pressures.

Production fresh or chilled beef in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Austria's fresh or chilled beef production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 635.5 million US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.2%, with an average annual decline of 0.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 707.6 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 at 8.9%, while the largest increase was also in 2018 at 8.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Austria produced 123.1 thousand tonnes of fresh or chilled beef, representing a gradual increase of 5.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 117.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.6%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled beef from Austria

Exports in kind, t

Austria's fresh or chilled beef exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 74 180 tonnes, marking a modest reduction of 4.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.1%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy were the main destinations for Austria's fresh or chilled beef exports by volume. Germany accounted for 33.9% of exports, the Netherlands for 16.4%, and Italy for 14.4%. Together, these three countries absorbed 64.6% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Fresh or chilled beef shipments from Austria declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 365.9 million US dollars, reflecting a loss of 1.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8.3%, with an annualized decline of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 413.6 million US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019 at 10.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands were the primary buyers of fresh or chilled beef from Austria in value terms. Germany accounted for 36.4% of exports, Italy for 15.9%, and the Netherlands for 13.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 65.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled beef to Austria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Austria's imports of fresh or chilled beef amounted to 38 002 tonnes, indicating a drop of 2.5% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 35 887 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.2%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Austria's fresh or chilled beef imports by volume were Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. Germany accounted for 44.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 16.7%, and Poland for 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 73.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of fresh or chilled beef to Austria declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 188.6 million US dollars, corresponding to a robust reduction of 18.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 238.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Argentina led the structure of Austria's fresh or chilled beef imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 37.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 19.2%, and Argentina for 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented 65.9% of total import flows.

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

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