Salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for salted and smoked beef in Western Europe showed variability, reaching a peak of 31 484 metric tons in 2019 before receding to 28 833 metric tons in 2020.

A consistent contraction began in 2021, with the market volume falling to 26 129 metric tons that year. This was influenced by rising beef prices and increased production costs, which squeezed producer margins and limited incentives to expand output. The COVID-19 pandemic also temporarily dampened demand in the out-of-home dining sector. The decline continued to 24 876 metric tons in 2022, primarily due to a long-term reduction in cattle herds across Europe and a shift in consumer preferences toward white meat and plant-based alternatives.

In 2023, the market volume dropped sharply to 10 112 metric tons. This steep fall was driven by a marked decrease in consumption of salted and smoked beef, particularly in France where demand in this segment fell by 28.7%, coupled with ongoing pressure from high production costs and consumer price inflation.

Production salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in Western Europe

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

After two years of growth, production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef in Western Europe declined. In 2020, Western Europe produced 39 537 tonnes of this product, marking a 3.9% decrease from the previous year. Production had increased by 13.6% between 2017 and 2020, averaging 4.3% annually. The peak was reached in 2019 at 41 146 tonnes, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 13.9%.

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

Exports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef from Western Europe to international markets increased. In 2020, exports totaled 16 466 tonnes, rising 6.2% compared to the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 32.3%, averaging a 12.2% annual decline. The lowest point was in 2019 at 15 502 tonnes, with the steepest drop of 34.1% also recorded that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and Ireland dominated exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef from Western Europe, jointly accounting for 72.0% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's export value of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 128.3 million US dollars, showing an 8.0% drop from the prior year. The highest value was in 2018 at 145.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Ireland were the top three markets, collectively representing 31.1% of the total export value for salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef from Western Europe.

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

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

Imports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

Imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef into Western Europe fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 5 762 tonnes, a slight decrease of 1.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 7.4%, averaging a 2.5% annual decline. The peak was in 2018 at 8 172 tonnes, with the largest decline of 28.5% in 2019 and the biggest increase of 31.3% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain were the leading sources, together making up 55.4% of total imports by volume of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef into Western Europe.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the import value of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef into Western Europe reached 124.6 million US dollars, up 5.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 16.4%, averaging a 5.2% annual increase. The largest decline was 2.2% in 2019, while the biggest rise was 13.3% in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Switzerland (41.7% of import value), Italy (32.6%), and Spain (2.0%) formed the core of imports, collectively accounting for 76.4% of total value flows.

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

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