Prepared or preserved beef and offal market in Northern Europe, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

After reaching 88 671 t in 2018, the market volume for prepared beef and offal in Northern Europe declined to 73 639 t by 2020. Early in the period, increased Swedish beef production and a shift in consumer preferences towards local products strengthened the share of domestic production. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily altered purchasing patterns, boosting beef sales due to reduced travel, while health authority recommendations to limit red and processed meat intake, along with growing environmental concerns, exerted downward pressure on demand.

The market recovered to 75 855 t in 2021 and then surged to 87 488 t in 2022. This rise coincided with legislative changes that again permitted the use of processed animal protein from pigs in feed for beef cattle, improving feeding efficiency and likely contributing to higher production. Simultaneously, premium and specialty beef products emerged on the market, responding to consumer demand for quality and sustainability.

In 2023, market volume fell by 21% to 69 112 t. Economic factors, including rising food prices and inflation, led to decreased beef consumption, with this trend starting in 2023 and continuing into 2024. Sustainability and climate impact remained key drivers of consumer behavior, while Swedish beef production continued to increase, raising its share in the domestic market.

Production prepared or preserved beef and offal in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Northern Europe's production of prepared or preserved beef and offal has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 75 333 tons, which represents a 1.3% decrease from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 11.9%. Production peaked in 2018 at 86 652 tons, marking a 14.0% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of prepared or preserved beef and offal production in Northern Europe has also fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 369.0 million US dollars, showing a modest 8.6% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 11.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 427.7 million US dollars, representing a significant 28.8% increase from 2017.

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

Exports prepared or preserved beef and offal from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Northern Europe's exports of prepared or preserved beef and offal increased in 2020. Exports totaled 77.1 thousand tons, a 5.2% improvement over 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 15.1%, with an average annual decline of 5.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 73.3 thousand tons, following a substantial 13.6% decline that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands were the largest buyers of prepared or preserved beef and offal from Northern Europe, but they did not dominate the market. France accounted for 15.9% of exports in volume, Germany for 8.6%, and the Netherlands for 3.6%. Together, these three countries represented 28.0% of total exports, with the remaining 72.0% distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of prepared or preserved beef and offal exports from Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 377.7 million US dollars, down 2.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 4.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 418.8 million US dollars, which represented a 5.5% increase from 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when export value fell by 7.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market for prepared or preserved beef and offal from Northern Europe was highly diversified in value terms. France accounted for 14.7% of export value, Germany for 9.6%, and Belgium for 4.0%. Together, these three countries made up only 28.3% of total exports, while the remaining 71.7% was distributed across many other countries.

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

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

Imports prepared or preserved beef and offal to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal into Northern Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 75.4 thousand tons, a 3.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 27.2%, with an average annual decline of 10.1%.

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

An analysis of import volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many suppliers. Brazil was the largest source, accounting for 25.4% of imports in volume, followed by Germany at 7.0% and Poland at 4.8%. Together, these three countries represented 37.2% of total imports, with the remaining 62.8% coming from various other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decrease, Northern Europe's imports of prepared or preserved beef and offal increased in 2020. Imports were recorded at 379.1 million US dollars, marking a small 1.3% rise from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 16.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 5.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 374.3 million US dollars, following a significant 16.5% decline that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Europe imported prepared or preserved beef and offal from a wide range of countries. Even the largest suppliers—Brazil, Germany, and France—together accounted for only 37.8% of total import value, highlighting the diversity of the import market.

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

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