+33 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 02011000 were up 33% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€62.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat323.1 EUR million
EU exports of CN 02011000 to countries outside the EU were worth €323.1 million in 2025.
Eurostat2.41 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 02011000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.41 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +33% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted +0% since 2020.
What this market covers
Meat from cattle sold as carcasses, cuts and ground products, fresh or frozen. Retailers, restaurants and food processors buy it.
Typical segments
- Fresh cuts
- Frozen boneless beef
- Ground beef
- Carcasses and primals
- Processed beef products
Who buys
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants and caterers
- Food processors
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 82.9 EUR million |
| Algeria | 0.1 EUR million |
| Iceland | 0.0 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 0.0 EUR million |
| Russian Federation | 0.0 EUR million |
| Norway | 0.0 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €83.0 million of products under CN code 02011000 (Carcases or half-carcases of bovine animals, fresh or chilled) from outside the EU in 2025. | 83.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 02011000 were up 33% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€62.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +33 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 02011000 to countries outside the EU were worth €323.1 million in 2025. | 323.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 02011000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.41 billion in 2025. | 2.41 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 02011000 to the EU in 2025, with €82.9 million, or 100% of extra-EU imports. | 82.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 02011000 to the United States were €3 thousand in 2025. | 3 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 02011000 was €5.45 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 5.45 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Spain was the largest EU exporter of CN 02011000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €114.4 million. | 114.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 11,761 enterprises in NACE class C1011 (Processing and preserving of meat) in 2023. | 11,761 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1011 had net turnover of €120.00 billion in 2023. | 120.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1011 employed 300,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 300,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,665 private establishments in NAICS 311611 (Animal (except poultry) slaughtering) in 2025. | 1,665 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311611 employed an average of 145,660 people in US private industry in 2025. | 145,660 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311611 changed by +0% between 2020 (145,111 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +0 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311611 was $58,545 in 2025. | 58,545 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU beef market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €83.0 million of goods under CN 02011000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €323.1 million.
Where does the EU import beef from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were Algeria, Iceland, United States from 1995 -> 2000).
What is the average import price of beef in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €5.45 per kilogram for CN 02011000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most beef?
Spain led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Ireland, Austria.
How many US companies are in the beef industry?
BLS counts 1,665 private establishments in NAICS 311611 (Animal (except poultry) slaughtering), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the beef industry?
Eurostat counts 11,761 enterprises in NACE class C1011 (Processing and preserving of meat).
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 02011000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 83006733
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 02011000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 62628405; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 83006733
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 02011000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 323072648
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 02011000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2413561395
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 02011000, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 82858166
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 02011000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2720
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 02011000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 83006733, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 152261
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter ES, product 02011000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 114398209
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1011, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 11761
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1011, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 120000
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1011, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 300000
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311611, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311611, annual_avg_estabs 1665
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311611, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311611, annual_avg_emplvl 145660
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311611, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 145111; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 145660
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311611, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311611, avg_annual_pay 58545
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