Salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market volume for salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in Eastern Europe remained stable at around 13 400 t. This period was characterized by state-led import substitution policies and the entry of new players supported by government investments, which helped maintain domestic production levels. The market then grew by 28% to 17 095 t in 2020, driven primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased consumer demand for longer-lasting meat products due to supply chain disruptions, coupled with state support measures such as subsidies for the meat industry.

Growth accelerated further in 2021, with the market volume surging by 43% to 24 513 t. This expansion was supported by ongoing state investments and the introduction of new mandatory labeling and traceability rules, which raised quality and safety standards for producers. Additionally, manufacturers expanded their product assortments to include innovative and functional meat snacks, catering to consumer preferences for convenience and higher-quality offerings.

After reaching its peak in 2021, the market contracted to 21 952 t in 2022 and then fell sharply to 9 369 t in 2023. While regulatory tightening and the emergence of new production facilities were noted in 2022, the significant decline in 2023 indicates a substantial market adjustment. For 2024, factors include continued state support for import substitution and evolving trends in meat processing, such as growth in semi-finished and ready-to-eat meat segments.

Production salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has seen its production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef grow for the third year in a row. In 2019, the region produced 15 635 tonnes, which then rose to 18 228 tonnes in 2020—a 16.6% increase. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 116.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 29.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has experienced a third consecutive year of growth in the value of its salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef production. In 2019, the output was valued at 66 900 thousand US dollars, climbing to 79 950 thousand US dollars in 2020—a significant 19.5% rise. From 2017 to 2020, the production value increased by 136.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 33.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

The data points to irregular shifts, reflecting a volatile market. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 1 650 tonnes, then jumped to a peak of 3 043 tonnes in 2019—a 1.8-fold difference between the two years. By 2020, shipments from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 2 807 tonnes, marking a 7.7% decrease from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 24.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 84.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom and Spain were the leading buyers of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), together accounting for 81.3% of total exports by volume. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest value in 2018 at 7 490 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2019 at 13 025 thousand US dollars—a 1.7-fold gap. In 2020, exports amounted to 12 312 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate 5.5% drop from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, at 15.2%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019, at 73.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (46.2% of export value), Spain (28.1%), and Germany (5.7%) remained the top buyers of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Together, they made up 80.0% of total exports by value.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Imports were at their lowest in 2017, then reached a high in 2020—a 3.2-fold difference. In 2019, imports stood at 777 tonnes, which surged to 1 675 tonnes in 2020, representing a 115.7% gain. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (24.7% of import volume), Italy (24.1%), and Europe, not elsewhere specified (2.1%) led as the main suppliers of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Their combined share reached 50.8% of total imports by volume.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility during this time. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2020—a 3.5-fold gap. In 2019, the import value was 6 925 thousand US dollars, which rose sharply to 13 862 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 100.2% increase. The largest decline was in 2019, at 14.2%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, at 104.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Germany, Italy, and Europe, not elsewhere specified—together accounted for 61.3% of the total import value of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia).

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020