Prepared or preserved beef and offal market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2020, the market for prepared beef and offal in Germany was shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted demand for preserved meat products, lifting the market volume to 36 497 t. The following year, strong export demand, particularly from China, constrained domestic supply and contributed to a market volume contraction to 30 304 t, even as high international beef prices supported market value.

Regulatory changes, including the comprehensive revision of guidelines for meat and meat products published in July 2022, introduced stricter labeling and origin requirements for beef. Coupled with the energy crisis that raised production costs, these factors drove market value growth to $213.4 million in 2022, despite a modest volume increase to 31 623 t. African Swine Fever continued to affect the broader meat sector, influencing market conditions.

By 2023, a decline in per capita beef consumption and a reduction in domestic beef production due to shrinking dairy cow herds led to a drop in market volume to 28 333 t. Concurrently, the growing meat substitute market, fueled by sustainability trends and consumer awareness, diverted some demand. These shifts, alongside sustained high prices, pushed the market value further up to $223.5 million.

Production prepared or preserved beef and offal in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany ranked as the world's fourth-largest producer of prepared or preserved beef and offal.

Top producers of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved beef and offal, 2017-2020

Germany's production of prepared or preserved beef and offal declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output remained stable at 48 025 tonnes, unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of prepared or preserved beef and offal production in Germany reached 251.2 million US dollars, marking a slight increase of 1.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 2.1%, with an average annual decline of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 248.7 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 268.2 million US dollars. The largest annual decline was 7.2% in 2019, and the largest increase was 4.5% in 2018.

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

Exports prepared or preserved beef and offal from Germany

Exports in kind, t

After rising for two years, Germany's exports of prepared or preserved beef and offal declined in 2020. Export volumes fell to 36 710 tonnes, down 15.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 43 413 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 7.8% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of prepared or preserved beef and offal were distributed across a broad range of partners. The top three destinations—the Netherlands (17.3% of export volume), France (17.2%), and Spain (13.0%)—together accounted for just 47.6% of total exports, indicating a diversified market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Germany's export value of prepared or preserved beef and offal declined in 2020. Exports totaled 192.0 million US dollars, a decrease of 14.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 2.4%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 223.9 million US dollars, and the largest annual increase was 9.7% in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands (16.2% of export value), France (15.6%), and Austria (10.1%) were among the largest buyers of prepared or preserved beef and offal from Germany. However, even combined, they represented only 41.9% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports prepared or preserved beef and offal to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Import volumes rose to 25 183 tonnes, up 4.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 15.5%, with an average annual increase of 4.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Germany's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal by volume were the Netherlands (21.2% of import volume), Poland (18.4%), and Denmark (10.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 50.1% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's import value of prepared or preserved beef and offal increased for the third straight year in 2020. Imports reached 142.8 million US dollars, rising 6.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 19.1%, with an average annual increase of 6.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal by value were not heavily concentrated. The top three sources—the Netherlands (18.3% of import value), Poland (14.9%), and Brazil (12.6%)—together made up only 45.8% of total imports.

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

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