The low consumption of beef in Poland in relation to the large domestic production allows for the sale of significant quantities abroad. Poland is the second largest exporter of beef outside the EU (after Ireland), but over 80% of Polish exports go to EU countries.
Beeld: © Murawska
In the period January-November 2024, 492 thousand tonnes of beef and veal products (in carcass equivalent) were exported from Poland, which means a 3% increase year on year. Export revenues amounted to EUR 2.5 billion (+7%). Beef meat dominated the export (around 90% share).
Beef production in the EU in 2024
According to data from the European Commission, in the period from January to the end of October 2024, the total production of live cattle in the EU countries (measured by the volume of slaughter) reached 5.5 million tonnes, which means a 4% increase compared to the previous year.
Bluetongue disease – a potential obstacle to exports in 2025
The emergence of bluetongue disease outbreaks in cattle in Poland at the end of 2024 may negatively affect export results in 2025. The authorities of some third countries have already introduced a ban on the import and transit of cattle and other susceptible animals from Poland.
Beeld: © Murawska
Low beef imports to Poland in 2024
Imports of beef and veal products to Poland in 2024 were low and mainly comprised meat (51%) and livestock (47%). From January to the end of November 2024, 69 thousand tons of beef and veal products were imported to the country. tons of beef products (in carcass equivalent), which is an 8% increase compared to the previous year.
Increase in prices of slaughter cattle in 2024 and early 2025
Since the beginning of 2024, both in the EU and in Poland, there has been an upward trend in the purchase prices of slaughter cattle, which is related to higher demand and insufficient supply. In the first week of 2025, meat plants in Poland paid an average of PLN 10.79/kg for live cattle, which means an increase of 1% compared to the previous month and 11% compared to the previous year.
389 thousand tonnes of beef were sold abroad (+4%), of which 312 thousand tonnes went to EU countries (80%), mainly to:
- Italy: 77 thousand tonnes (20%)
- Germany: 63 thousand tonnes (16%)
- Netherlands: 31 thousand tonnes (8%)
- Spain: 28 thousand tonnes tons (7%)
- France: 23 thousand tons (6%)
Outside the EU, the main recipients of Polish beef were:
- Turkey: 44 thousand tons (11%)
- Great Britain: 15 thousand tons (4%)
- Israel: 8 thousand tons (2%)
Source: Biuletyn Infromacyjny KOWR