The meat market in Europe is being restructured, sheep farmers are losing ground

The meat market in Europe continues to restructure, with a reduction in beef and lamb production in the Community. Pork of European origin, on the other hand, has increasingly limited access to the huge Chinese market. Only the producers of poultry meat noted an increase in production, according to the forecasts in the autumn review of the markets of agricultural products of the European Commission (EC). However, sustained demand and high European prices will keep EU meat imports high (+2% in 2024), while meat exports decline further by 10% due to lack of competition. Per capita meat consumption in the EU is expected to rise slightly in 2024 to 66.8 kg (+0.8% year-on-year) and stabilize in 2025, the European report forecasts. Continued structural adjustment is leading to a decline in EU beef production, with contraction expected to reach 0.5% in 2024 and 1% the following year, the report said. Despite the limited supply, however, EU meat exports continue to perform well, ...