Europe

Europe is a major meat producer, and the EU accounts for over 16% of global meat production. However, the sector has suffered from the recent economic instability in the euro zone.

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Belgium is self-sufficient in beef and veal, and exports the rest of its production to the European market, headed by the Netherlands, France, Italy and Germany.

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Denmark exports around 90% of its pork production, mainly to the EU, and the industry accounts for almost half of the country’s agricultural exports.

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France has Europe’s largest population of beef cattle, with 25 different breeds raised solely for the production of meat.

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Germany is one of the EU’s top meat producers. It is the European leader in pork production and exports, and produces around 17% of the continent’s beef, in second position after France.

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Ireland is the world's 4th largest beef exporter and an important grass-fed lamb producer, with lamb exports worth €170m in 2010.

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Italy has seen meat production increase in the past few years, as many farmers have switched from dairy to beef production, leading to a 1.4% increase in red meat slaughterings in 2010. For more information, statistics and the latest news related to Italy, click on the map.

Three quarters of all the meat produced in the Netherlands is destined to the export market. The country’s gross production value for the poultry, meat and eggs sector reached €5.5bn in 2009. For more information, statistics and the latest news related to the Netherlands, click on the map.

Meat and fish represent almost 30% of the food and drink industry in Poland, and the country’s trade has largely benefited from its EU membership obtained in 2004. For more information, statistics and the latest news related to Poland, click on the map.

The world’s seventh beef producer, Russia has seen its cattle flock decrease regularly for the past 20 years, and has been focusing more on pork and poultry production.

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Spain is a major player in the European meat sector. The country has focused a lot on intensive integrated production systems in recent years, improving its competitiveness.

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The United Kindgom is a significant producer of red meat, particularly lamb and beef, with a predominantly grass-based production system.

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