Market research

Fresh or chilled beef market in Denmark

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

Earlier Report Observations

The Danish market for fresh or chilled beef contracted from 192.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 148.6 thousand tons in 2024. Initial declines were influenced by the expansion of the state animal welfare label to include beef and veal in 2020, followed by a new national animal welfare law in 2021, which raised production standards. The COVID-19 lockdowns in spring 2020 temporarily reduced foodservice demand, but the market rebounded to 186.2 thousand tons in 2021 as pandemic restrictions eased.

From 2022 onward, a sharp increase in beef prices, driven by shrinking supply and strong global demand, led to a 25% drop in retail sales in one quarter. EU organic regulations that took effect in January 2022 introduced stricter certification and control requirements, adding pressure on producers. Simultaneously, the national dairy and suckler cow herd fell by 240 thousand head in 2022, cutting into available beef supply. As a result, market volume fell to 163.6 thousand tons in 2022 and continued declining to 157.1 thousand tons in 2023 and 148.6 thousand tons in 2024, though market value remained relatively stable due to higher unit prices.

By 2025, beef prices reached record levels amid lower cattle inventories, sustained global demand, and tighter climate-related requirements for farmers. Danish consumers responded by reducing consumption and turning to alternatives, including cross-border shopping. Trade data for 2025 shows a slight recovery in export volume to 54.0 thousand tons, while import volume fell to 50.4 thousand tons, reflecting the market's adjustment to sustained high prices.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2024
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2024
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2024
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2024
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Denmark
  1. 5.1.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K t
  2. 5.1.2. In value, 2018-2024, M $ US
2. 5.2. Production in the EU, 2018-2024
  1. 5.2.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K t
  2. 5.2.2. In value, 2018-2024, M $ US
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Denmark, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Denmark, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Denmark, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Denmark, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Denmark by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production fresh or chilled beef in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of decline, Denmark's fresh or chilled beef production has rebounded. In 2021, output reached 768.8 million US dollars, representing a significant 11.1% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 691.8 million US dollars, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2019 at 14.3%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.3%)	(5.7%)	11.1%	(3.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

After two years of decline, Denmark's fresh or chilled beef production has shown recovery. In 2021, production reached 165.8 thousand tons, marking an 11.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 148.8 thousand tons, while the most substantial decline occurred in 2019 at 12.8%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.8%)	(7.8%)	11.4%	(3.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports fresh or chilled beef from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, Denmark's fresh or chilled beef exports have shown modest growth. In 2021, exports totaled 55,756 tons, representing a 3.9% increase compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 18.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 6.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 53,674 tons, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019 at 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.4%)	(9.3%)	3.9%	(6.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2018-2021 period, Germany (36.5% of export volume), Italy (13.4%), and Sweden (12.7%) formed the core group of markets for Denmark's fresh or chilled beef exports, collectively representing 62.6% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Denmark's fresh or chilled beef exports have rebounded significantly. In 2021, exports reached 322.5 million US dollars, marking a substantial 24.2% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 259.8 million US dollars, while the most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 13.8%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.8%)	(10.0%)	24.2%	(1.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2018-2021, Germany (25.6% of export value), Italy (18.3%), and Spain (15.0%) led Denmark's fresh or chilled beef export structure by value, collectively accounting for 59.0% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports fresh or chilled beef to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, Denmark's fresh or chilled beef imports have increased. In 2021, imports reached 76,144 tons, representing a 6.3% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 71,623 tons, while the most substantial decline occurred in 2019 at 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.4%)	(0.3%)	6.3%	0.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, Germany (33.4% of import volume), the Netherlands (29.2%), and Poland (11.1%) consistently occupied leading positions in Denmark's fresh or chilled beef import structure, jointly accounting for 73.7% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Denmark's fresh or chilled beef imports have shown strong recovery. In 2021, imports reached 511.9 million US dollars, marking a robust 20.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 426.4 million US dollars, while the most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 12.8%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.8%)	(1.8%)	20.1%	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, Germany (31.8% of import value), the Netherlands (31.3%), and Poland (8.8%) remained the key sources for Denmark's fresh or chilled beef imports, collectively representing 71.9% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io