EU beef prices continue at historically high levels, driven by a limited availability of cattle and robust demand for beef.
The average price for a U, R or O grading bullock in the EU stood at €7.39/kg for the week ending 12 October, up 43.6% on the same week of 2024, EU Meat Market Observatory (MMO) data shows.
The latest data shows that in the period January to July 2025, EU production decreased by 3% compared with the same period in 2024.
The MMO highlighted that there were “significant declines” in major EU beef-producing countries, with a 2.5% fall in production in France and a 6.6% drop in German output.
Exports
In the period January to July 2025, exports out of the EU decreased by 15% compared with the same period in 2024.
“The shortage of animals and the decline in the production is limiting EU’s capacity to export” a report on the beef market from the MMO said.
Exports to the UK - the EU’s largest trading partner for beef, taking 38% of exports - fell 3.3% compared with the same time last year.
Exports to Turkey registered a significant decline, recording a drop of 54%.
Imports
In the same period, imports of beef into the EU increased by 13.2% year on year.
Imports increased from all the main trading partners. Imports from the UK are up 6.3%, Brazilian beef imports are up 12.4% and Argentinian supplies are up 19.4%.
“The short internal EU supply and the high level of price create[s] favourable conditions for EU imports,” the report said.
World beef market
The report flagged that there have been no significant changes in the world beef market.
“As in the EU, the tight supply and the solid demand has led trade to register record figures.
“Brazil continues to lead world exports followed by Australia. As for imports, China and the US remain, by large, the leaders of the world demand.
"World trade on beef remains dynamic, with South American and Oceanian countries expanding the competitiveness advantage compared [with] main players in the northern hemisphere,” it said.
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EU beef prices continue at historically high levels, driven by a limited availability of cattle and robust demand for beef.
The average price for a U, R or O grading bullock in the EU stood at €7.39/kg for the week ending 12 October, up 43.6% on the same week of 2024, EU Meat Market Observatory (MMO) data shows.
The latest data shows that in the period January to July 2025, EU production decreased by 3% compared with the same period in 2024.
The MMO highlighted that there were “significant declines” in major EU beef-producing countries, with a 2.5% fall in production in France and a 6.6% drop in German output.
Exports
In the period January to July 2025, exports out of the EU decreased by 15% compared with the same period in 2024.
“The shortage of animals and the decline in the production is limiting EU’s capacity to export” a report on the beef market from the MMO said.
Exports to the UK - the EU’s largest trading partner for beef, taking 38% of exports - fell 3.3% compared with the same time last year.
Exports to Turkey registered a significant decline, recording a drop of 54%.
Imports
In the same period, imports of beef into the EU increased by 13.2% year on year.
Imports increased from all the main trading partners. Imports from the UK are up 6.3%, Brazilian beef imports are up 12.4% and Argentinian supplies are up 19.4%.
“The short internal EU supply and the high level of price create[s] favourable conditions for EU imports,” the report said.
World beef market
The report flagged that there have been no significant changes in the world beef market.
“As in the EU, the tight supply and the solid demand has led trade to register record figures.
“Brazil continues to lead world exports followed by Australia. As for imports, China and the US remain, by large, the leaders of the world demand.
"World trade on beef remains dynamic, with South American and Oceanian countries expanding the competitiveness advantage compared [with] main players in the northern hemisphere,” it said.
Read more
Beef Trends: factories scramble to get cattle
Hormones for cattle could help Brazil cut emissions
Mercosur deal now a necessity - Clarke
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