EU beef imports jumped by 17% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to the EU Meat Market Observatory (MMO).
The most significant increase was from Brazil with a lift of 56% in imports, surpassing the UK as the main importer of beef, representing 30.8% of total imports.
Imports increased from all the main partners, except Argentina and the US.
“The short internal EU supply and the, still, high prices continue to attract imports,” the MMO stated.
Exports
In the same period, EU beef exports fell by 4.6% year on year, due to falling cattle numbers.
The UK remains the main destination for EU beef exports with 35% of all exports heading there in the first six months of the year. However, this figure is down 12.3% on 2025.
The MMO said this drop may be a result of trade agreements reached by the UK with other trade partners such as Australia, as well as the EU’s falling production.
Turkey was the second-largest destination for EU beef exports, standing at 11%, up a significant 46.7% on the first half of 2025.
Beef prices
EU beef prices have fallen clearly below the level they were in 2025, but they remain well above the average for the last three years.
The average price for a U, R or O grading bullock in the EU stood at €6.36/kg for the week ending 18 October, down 8.99% on the same week of 2025, MMO data shows.
“The short supply and a possible recovery of the demand continue to sustain prices at high level and, for the time being, still favourable margins for producers despite the increasing costs in feed and energy,” the MMO stated.
The data shows that in the period January to July 2026, the number of heads slaughtered decreased by 3.5% compared with the same period in 2025.
World beef market
Brazil continued to firmly lead world exports in the first half of 2026, followed by Australia, according to the MMO.
China and the US remain the leaders of world demand for beef imports.
“World trade on beef remains dynamic despite the complicated geopolitical situation,” the MMO said.
