Fresh or chilled beef market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Italian fresh beef market volume initially expanded, reaching 1.4 million tonnes in 2019. This growth was supported by EU policies emphasizing product quality and environmental sustainability, alongside simplified rules for voluntary meat labeling that made it easier for producers to provide high-value information to consumers. The trend reversed in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, reduced domestic cattle slaughter, and lowered consumption, causing the market to contract.

Following the pandemic, the market declined further in 2021 as the national cattle inventory fell by 1.1%, constraining production. A partial recovery occurred in 2022, driven by the implementation of a new EU regulation mandating origin labeling for fresh meat, which improved traceability and consumer confidence. Concurrently, enhanced marketing and richer voluntary labels featuring claims related to animal welfare and the absence of antibiotics stimulated demand, supporting a rise in volume despite significant price increases for certain beef categories.

The market volume fell again in 2023 amid stricter enforcement of national quality standards and organic farming regulations, which required pre-authorization for adding voluntary information to labels, potentially increasing compliance costs and limiting promotional activities. By 2024, the market stabilized close to the previous year's level.

Production fresh or chilled beef in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's fresh or chilled beef production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 3 624 million US dollars, marking a modest 4.2% rise compared to the previous year. However, looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 536 million US dollars, when production dropped sharply by 45.2%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 37.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's fresh or chilled beef production has grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 137 thousand tonnes, a figure that remained nearly the same as in 2019. Over the broader span from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 21.4%, averaging a 7.7% annual decline. The lowest output was in 2018 at 966 thousand tonnes, which represented a significant drop of 33.2%. The most notable growth occurred in 2019, with a 17.2% increase.

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

Exports fresh or chilled beef from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy exported 78.0 thousand tonnes of fresh or chilled beef, a 3.5% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 4.8%, equating to an average annual decline of 1.6%. The only increase during this period was in 2019, with a modest 0.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Greece were the primary markets for Italy's fresh or chilled beef exports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 23.5% of exports, Germany for 17.7%, and Greece for 16.3%. Together, these three countries made up 57.4% of Italy's total export flows in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's fresh or chilled beef exports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value stood at 357 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 13.2% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 16.4%, with an average annual decline of 5.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 444 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Greece consistently led as the top destinations for Italy's fresh or chilled beef exports by value. Germany held 23.9% of the export value, the Netherlands 14.5%, and Greece 13.2%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 51.6% of Italy's total export flows in monetary terms.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled beef to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy imported 302.1 thousand tonnes of fresh or chilled beef, showing a gradual decrease of 9.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 7.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 333.3 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 3.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, France, and the Netherlands were the main sources of fresh or chilled beef imports to Italy by volume. Poland contributed 22.2% of imports, France 20.5%, and the Netherlands 15.7%. Together, these three countries represented 58.4% of Italy's total import flows in this category.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's fresh or chilled beef imports have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value amounted to 1 717 million US dollars, which is 10.1% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 9.0%, with an average annual drop of 3.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 959 million US dollars, when imports saw the largest increase of 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Poland continued to be the leading suppliers of fresh or chilled beef to Italy by value. France accounted for 19.7% of import value, the Netherlands for 17.1%, and Poland for 16.7%. Combined, these three suppliers made up 53.4% of Italy's total import flows in monetary terms.

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

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