Beef production expected to remain stable in 2024 and 2025 in the EU

According to the latest EU short-term outlook report, structural adjustment will lead to a decline in EU beef production of 0.5% in 2024 and 1% in 2025. Despite tight cattle supply, EU beef exports continue to perform well according to the Commission report, in particular to the Turkish market. Against this backdrop, EU beef consumption per capita fell by 1.7% in 2024 and is expected to decline further by 1.2% in 2025. EU beef production increased by 3% in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, mainly due to a significant increase in slaughter in Italy (+9%) and Poland (+20%). The increase may have multiple causes, such as poor pasture conditions in central Europe and increasing demand in certain export markets (Turkey). However, by the end of 2024, beef production is expected to decline slightly (-0.5%) due to a shortage of young cattle in some EU countries (e.g. Italy and Spain). Tight beef supplies continue to support EU beef producer prices and live animal ...