According to the latest Eurostat report, beef production in the EU remained stable in the first 5 months of the year. There was a slight increase of 0.2% over the same period last year, as well as significant declines in several countries such as Ireland, Germany, and Sweden.

By the end of May, the EU produced 2.7 million tons of beef. Production was limited during the first two months of the year, especially in January, but this was offset by an increase in production from March to May.

Looking at country data, Spain showed the largest actual growth in beef production during this time (+17,000 tons), followed by France (+10,000 tons) and Portugal (+3,000 tons). Italy and Poland also increased production.

On the other hand, lower production was in Ireland (-17,000 tons), Germany and Sweden (both -5,000 tons). The Netherlands and Belgium also produced less than last year.

“If you look at the number of slaughtered cattle, in the period from January to May (inclusive), 9.2 million heads were processed in the block, which is 0.8% more than in the same period a year ago. Not surprisingly, Spain is in the lead (+63,000 goals), "commented Hannah Clarke, analyst at AHDB.

The European Commission predicts that beef production will decline by 1.4% in 2021, in part due to a reduction in the herd of cows. As a result, beef imports in the EU will grow by 8% per year. According to Eurostat, beef imports in the EU in January-May decreased by 19% compared to the same period last year. The EU expects imports to increase in the second half of the year, driven in part by increased activity in the catering sector.

Source: meatinfo