Fresh or chilled beef market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The Czech fresh beef market began the period with growth, reaching 83 614 t in 2019, supported by the harmonization of national veterinary legislation with EU standards, which established clear requirements for animal husbandry and meat safety. State monitoring through annual situational reports further indicated a regulated environment. However, market volume contracted to 75 476 t in 2020, interrupting the initial upward trend.

A sharp recovery followed in 2021, lifting the market to 88 930 t. The subsequent years were marked by supply-side pressures: in 2022, slaughterhouse production of beef fell by 6.2% in the third quarter, and producer prices for slaughter cattle jumped by over 25%, squeezing availability and pushing up costs. This led to a slight dip in physical market volume alongside a rise in market value to 478.2 million USD. By 2023, domestic beef output stabilized, while shifts in slaughter patterns and increased direct milk purchasing pointed to ongoing structural adjustments in cattle farming.

In 2024, domestic beef production declined by 3%, partly due to higher exports of live slaughter cattle abroad, yet total market volume grew to 87 156 t, supported by rising imports. Legislative developments gained prominence, with new EU and Czech rules on origin labeling and stricter veterinary requirements beginning to shape consumer preferences and market practices, such as expanded labeling for thawed meat products.

Production fresh or chilled beef in Czechia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Czechia's fresh or chilled beef production value experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 243.5 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 2.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 17.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 249.5 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 16.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Following two years of expansion, fresh or chilled beef production in Czechia saw a downturn. In 2020, the country produced 55 409 tonnes, representing a 2.1% drop from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest output was achieved in 2019 with 56 576 tonnes, and the most significant increase was also in 2019 at 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports fresh or chilled beef from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Fresh or chilled beef exports from Czechia have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 13 134 tonnes, showing an 11.1% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 47.9%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and Poland were consistently the top destinations for Czechia's fresh or chilled beef exports by volume. Slovakia accounted for 40.6% of exports, the Netherlands for 27.3%, and Poland for 11.3%. Together, these three countries made up 79.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of fresh or chilled beef exports from Czechia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 59.0 million US dollars, reflecting a modest rise of 7.2% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 37.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and Poland were the leading destinations for Czechia's fresh or chilled beef exports by value. Slovakia held a 52.2% share, the Netherlands 18.4%, and Poland 9.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 80.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled beef to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, fresh or chilled beef imports into Czechia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 33 201 tonnes, down by 14.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.8%, averaging an annual decline of 1.6%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 38 858 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2019 at 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands were the primary suppliers of fresh or chilled beef to Czechia by volume. Poland contributed 26.6% of imports, Germany 20.7%, and the Netherlands 18.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 65.6% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of fresh or chilled beef imports into Czechia fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value stood at 161.6 million US dollars, a 15.0% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 4.0%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 196.0 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 16.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany remained the key suppliers of fresh or chilled beef to Czechia by value. Poland accounted for 22.4% of import value, the Netherlands for 20.2%, and Germany for 18.5%. Combined, these three suppliers made up 61.2% of total import value.

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

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