Salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

The market for salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in Belarus began the period with growth in 2019, reaching 2 476 t, as major state-owned meat processing plants in Bobruisk, Kalinkovichi, and Minsk actively expanded their product assortments and adopted new technologies. A contraction followed in 2020, reducing volume to 2 073 t, before the market entered a sustained expansion phase.

From 2021 onward, policy measures and industry modernization drove steady increases. The extension of a food embargo on meat imports from unfriendly countries, effective from 2022 and prolonged through 2024, restricted foreign supply and stimulated domestic production. This was supported by a 1% rise in domestic cattle meat output in 2023 and ongoing industry digitization efforts discussed at the Belarus Meat 2024 forum, which enhanced efficiency. Consequently, the market volume grew to 2 763 t in 2022 and further to 3 011 t in 2023.

Production salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus ranked 15th globally in the production volume of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef.

Top producers of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef, 2017-2020

World map of production of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, Belarus's production of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef declined. In 2020, the country produced 2 293 tonnes, marking a significant decrease of 11.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall increased by 29.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 604 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 24.4%.

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

Exports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef from Belarus

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From 2018 to 2020, exports exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 6 times. In 2020, Belarus's exports of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef totaled 220.4 tonnes, representing a dramatic rise of 71.2% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 36.7 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 250.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, Russia held the dominant position in exports by volume, accounting for 79.1% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Export values fluctuated 3.4 times between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018. In 2020, cross-border shipments of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef from Belarus reached 709.7 thousand US dollars, marking an advance of 53.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 210.8 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 119.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Russia was the main buyer of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef from Belarus, taking 82.4% of total exports in value terms, while other partners had relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef to Belarus

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. A 16-fold variation was recorded between the maximum in 2019 and the minimum in 2017. In 2020, foreign supplies of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef to Belarus totaled 0.6 tonnes, down by 35.2% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1.0 tonne, which also saw the largest increase of 858.8%.

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

In 2017–2020, Italy was the almost exclusive supplier of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef to Belarus, taking 95.9% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import levels fluctuated 13.7 times between the high in 2019 and the low in 2017. In 2020, shipments of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef to Belarus from abroad reached 12.0 thousand US dollars, down by 32.6% year-on-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 17.8 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 673.9%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Italy acted as the main source for salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef to Belarus, consistently absorbing 95.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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