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Trends and forecasts
Beef market in Poland
Poland is a major producer of meat in the European Union. In 2010, the
country was the seventh producer of beef and the fourth producer of pork
and poultry. Production of beef cattle requires specialization.
Polish farmers are aware that the beef obtained
in the breeding process of specialized
breeds of beef cattle becomes a sought
and valued product. Therefore, more and more
breeders in Poland start meat herds. This demonstrates
the growing interest in this production
direction for farmers giving up their milk
production and turning their activity towards
production of good-quality beef.
Active beef cow population in Poland exceeds
25,000 animals. It is a branch of animal production
which will develop. The development of
this branch in Poland is fostered by appropriate
conditions of maintenance and traditional animal
nutrition, as well as a large proportion of
permanent grasslands on low quality soils. This
affects the acquisition of meat with high taste
and culinary qualities.
Beef production in recent years shows an
upward tendency. Despite an increase in
production, the consumption dropped from
7.1 kg/person in 2000 to 3.4 kg/person in 2010
(Chart 4, page 61). In 2000-2010, beef production
increased by 17.5% (from 331,000 tons to
389,000 tons) with over 52% decline
in its consumption.
Statistically, Poland belongs to the European
countries with the lowest rate of beef consumption.
Price competition from poultry and
pork meat causes that good quality beef, and
consequently more expensive one, is displaced
from the consumption model.
Number of cattle
In 2010, the number of cattle in the European
Union declined. The headcount of cattle decreased
by 1.7% compared to 2009. The highest
decline was recorded among large manufacturers
in Italy (-9.5%) and in eastern countries of
the EU: Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic
and Hungary. In Poland, over the last year, the
number of cattle decreased by 0.5%, so less
than the EU average.
In the EU countries, the highest decline was
recorded in the young cattle category, aged
1 – 2 years, and the lowest among calves up to
1 year. The causes of the decrease in cattle number
in the EU should be seen primarily in the
large exportation of live animals. The reduction
of the headcount is also a result
of limitations of cows’
and calves’ number
in 2008-2009.
Autumn 2011 25