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

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the French salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef market contracted sharply from 6 429 t in 2018 to 4 217 t in 2019, before stabilizing at around 4 250 t in 2020. In value terms, the market remained relatively steady, with a slight increase to 90 975 K $ US in 2020.

In 2021, a global surge in input costs for energy and animal feed, combined with outbreaks of livestock diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and atypical BSE, raised production costs and reduced domestic beef output to 1 187 t. Market volume, however, grew to 4 377 t as higher imports compensated for the local shortfall. The following year, production rebounded to 2 010 t, helping push the total market volume to a peak of 4 940 t in 2022 despite European droughts that disrupted cattle breeding cycles. A decree enacted in January 2022 also strengthened origin labeling requirements for beef served in restaurants. By 2023, persistent inflation and a continued reduction in the national cattle herd led to a 3.7% drop in beef consumption, pulling market volume down to 4 288 t and its value to 85 941 K $ US.

In 2024, new labeling rules extended the mandatory indication of origin to processed meat dishes in restaurants, reinforcing traceability. Domestic beef production kept declining due to a shrinking dairy and suckler herd, while imports rose by 15% compared to 2020 levels—particularly from the Netherlands and Ireland—to fill the supply gap. Consumer preferences continued shifting towards poultry, and record-high prices for cattle at the end of the year highlighted tight market conditions.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France ranked 17th globally in 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

Following a two-year decline, France's production of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef rebounded. In 2020, output reached 1 699 tonnes, marking a modest increase of 4.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4.7%, averaging an annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 629 tonnes, which also saw the sharpest drop of 6.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef production in France declined. In 2020, production was valued at 31 014 thousand US dollars, down 8.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, the value decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.5%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 33 932 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in France in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, France exported 623 tonnes of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef, a 19.3% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 10.5%, with a CAGR of 3.4%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 523 tonnes, which saw the most significant decline of 9.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (35.3% of exports in kind), Belgium (26.2%), and the Netherlands (7.3%) were the top destinations for France's exports in kind, collectively accounting for 68.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

France's exports of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 11 377 thousand US dollars, up 4.5% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 10.8%, with a CAGR of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (40.5% of exports in value terms), Belgium (31.7%), and Switzerland (6.7%) consistently led as the main destinations for France's exports in value terms, together representing 78.9% of total flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, France imported 3 174 tonnes of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef, a slight increase of 2.1% year-on-year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 271 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 84.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 41.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland and Italy dominated France's imports in kind, together accounting for 84.6% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, France's imports of salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef reached 71 338 thousand US dollars, a modest increase of 9.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 19.5%, with a CAGR of 6.1%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 3.3%, while the highest increase occurred in 2018 at 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland dominated the structure of France's imports in value terms, absorbing 70.8% of total flows, with numerous smaller partners making up the remainder.

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

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