Fresh or chilled beef market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled beef in Poland grew steadily in physical terms from 247 thousand tons in 2018 to 331 thousand tons in 2021, before entering a period of moderate decline to 289 thousand tons by 2024. In value terms, the market expanded more significantly, particularly in 2022 when it reached $1.5 billion, reflecting higher price levels.

From 2022, beef consumption faced increased competition from poultry meat, which is perceived as more affordable and easier to prepare, leading to a stabilization of domestic market volume. In 2023, active promotion of beef through advertising campaigns and culinary programs, alongside the strengthening of discount stores as key distribution channels, influenced market structure but did not reverse the downward trend in physical consumption. By 2024, growing export demand, especially from Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, diverted some production abroad, while the introduction of automated beef carcass classification aimed at improving quality standards supported production but limited domestic supply availability.

Production fresh or chilled beef in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Poland's fresh or chilled beef output reached a value of 2 074 million US dollars, marking a modest 0.9% increase from 2019. The lowest value in recent years was recorded in 2019 at 2 056 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 2 193 million US dollars. The most significant drop took place in 2019 with a 6.2% decrease, whereas the largest gain was observed in 2018 with a 5.6% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Fresh or chilled beef production in Poland grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 546.1 thousand tonnes, showing a slight year-over-year increase of 1.3%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 2.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.9%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 532.3 thousand tonnes. The sharpest reduction occurred in 2018 with a 5.2% drop, while the biggest uptick was in 2019 with a 1.3% increase.

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

Exports fresh or chilled beef from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Poland's exports of fresh or chilled beef declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes stood at 270.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 0.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 8.2%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -2.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 302.0 thousand tonnes. The most substantial decline happened in 2019 with a 9.6% fall, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 2.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands were the primary destinations for Poland's fresh or chilled beef exports by volume. Italy accounted for 27.5% of exports, Germany for 16.0%, and the Netherlands for 10.1%. Together, these three markets represented 53.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of fresh or chilled beef exports from Poland reached 1 152 million US dollars, showing a slight gain of 0.6% over the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 1 145 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 1 349 million US dollars. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with a 15.1% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 15.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Germany, and Spain were the key markets for Poland's fresh or chilled beef exports by value. Italy represented 27.6% of export value, Germany 15.2%, and Spain 8.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 51.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled beef to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's imports of fresh or chilled beef decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country imported 16.2 thousand tonnes, which is 5.1% less than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall imports increased by 2.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 17.1 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 9.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland's imports of fresh or chilled beef by volume were highly diversified across countries. Germany accounted for 16.4% of imports, the United Kingdom for 16.0%, and Italy for 13.8%. Together, these three sources made up only 46.2% of total import flows, with the remaining 53.8% coming from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Poland's imports of fresh or chilled beef by value fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 62.7 million US dollars, representing a 3.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 14.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The peak import value was in 2018 at 65 million US dollars. The most substantial increase was recorded in 2018 with a 22.3% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland's imports of fresh or chilled beef by value featured a broad partner landscape. Germany contributed 17.9% of import value, the United Kingdom 14.4%, and Czechia 10.9%. These three countries together accounted for only 43.2% of total import flows, while a significant 56.8% came from numerous other trading partners.

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

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