Decline in poultry and beef production expected in EU

According to the European Commission's latest short-term forecast, a mixed picture of MEAT production is expected in the EU this year. While pork production is forecast to add 394,000 tons (+1.7%), other sectors are expected to decline.

In terms of exports, pork supplies from the EU will increase by 5%, despite trade barriers that have arisen since Brexit. At the same time, beef production in the EU is expected to fall by 1.3% (92,000 tons) in 2021 due to lower demand in the catering sector. However, exports to high-value markets such as CANADA and Japan should continue to grow thanks to recent trade agreements.

In the poultry industry, a similar development is expected due to outbreaks of avian influenza registered in the main producing markets and high feed prices. Poultry meat production will fall 0.9% (-121,000 tons) this year, but domestic consumption is expected to rise across the bloc as the catering sector reopens. However, frozen stocks should partly meet this additional demand, leading to apparent stable consumption.

And this fact will be taken into account when preparing the monthly analytical report Meatinfo.ru

Sheep and goat meat production in the EU should remain stable in 2021, increasing by 0.1% (688 tons), despite relatively high prices. In terms of demand, the reopening of catering establishments should have a positive impact on the sector in the second half of the year.