Poland – Poland was, between January and March 2016, the largest EU beef exporter according to figures from the AHDB (British organization for beef and lamb). During the first quarter of 2016, Poland accounted for approximately 8,320 tonnes or 20% of EU beef shipped to foreign markets.
However, AHDB reports that the EU remains a minor player in the global market for beef, as only 41,600 tons produced in the EU have been shipped to foreign markets.
According to AHDB, Germany was the second largest EU exporter of beef in the first three months of the year, with a market share of 18%. Spain and the Netherlands following behind, each with 10% market share of beef exports.
The EU provides a large number of markets, but five markets represent 50% of the volume of beef exported to the EU, namely Bosnia and Herzegovina, Norway, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Israel. There is particularly strong growth in the meat market in Israel as shipments jumped 250% in the first three months of the year.
Meanwhile, EU beef exports to China have more than doubled in the first three months of 2016, shows the AHDB, with 510 tons of beef the EU has shipped to that state of Asia . The opening of the Chinese market is a window that will weigh heavily in the next economic balance while the prospect of cooperation between Central Europe and China is growing day by day, echoing the new Silk Road incorporating notably Poland.
