The USDA considers that the EU is heading for one of its lowest moments in both livestock and meat production

The USDA has just published one of its reports regarding the evolution of livestock and meat production in the European Union. In the case of beef, the report points out the drop in the cattle census since 2017 and how in 2023 and 2024 the trend will continue without the high price of milk and meat of this type having managed to reverse the contraction. Dairy and beef cattle producers face reduced profit margins due to high feed, energy and labor prices. Another challenge for the industry is new regulations imposed by the European Commission (EC), which require financial investments and changes in agricultural management practices. The incessant flow of new needs creates uncertainty for ranchers, limiting their investment capacity. For example, while EU livestock exports, particularly to Turkey, recovered in 2022, upcoming EU animal welfare legislation on animal transport is expected to limit live livestock in the future. exports. In Central Europe, the combination of targeted and ...