Search our website enhanced by Google.
How much beef did the EU trade in 2021?
Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Our previous article explored how EU beef production performed in 2021. With full-year data available from the European Commission, we take a look at how much beef was traded by the bloc during the year.
The EU as a whole is largely self-sufficient in beef, producing more than is consumed domestically each year, leaving a (relatively small) exportable surplus (about 8-10% of production). An even smaller quantity of beef is imported (about 4-6% of production) to satisfy market demands, and mostly consists of fresh boneless beef from the UK and higher-value fresh/frozen product from South America (each respectively accounting for 33% and 54% of imports on average from 2019-2021).
In 2021, the EU exported 457,000 tonnes (product weight) of fresh and frozen beef, down 2% year-on-year. During the same period, 218,000 tonnes of beef was imported, 8% less than in 2020.
Trade between Ireland and the UK held the most influence over the EU’s total external trade volumes, reflecting Brexit-related disruption, particularly in the first quarter of the year.
Exports to the UK fell by 10% year-on-year to 213,000 tonnes. This outweighed notable increases in shipments to many other countries; including Japan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Norway, and the Philippines.
Imports from the UK fell by 24% to 61,500 tonnes. Volumes from South American countries were mixed, with Brazil and Uruguay sending more, and Argentina and Paraguay sending less. Government-imposed export restrictions are still in place on beef exports from Argentina, and are reportedly expected to remain so until the end of 2023.
For 2022, the EU Commission forecasts that trade in both directions will increase year-on-year. Exports are expected to grow, boosted by increasing demand from high-value markets like Hong Kong and Norway, while increased imports are expected to meet growing domestic demand from reopening foodservice and tourism sectors.
Sign up for regular updates
You can subscribe to receive Beef and Lamb market news straight to your inbox. Simply fill in your contact details on our online form.
While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.
All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.