PROVACUNO: The European Union has lost a million cows in the last year
According to Eurostat data, comparing January 2024 with January 2025, there has been a decrease of 121,000 total cattle in Spain, of which 95,000 are suckler cows and 19,000 are dairy cows. In the case of suckler cows, this reduction in the population is explained by two consecutive years of drought (2002 and 2023), the incidence of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) since autumn 2023 and its subsequent consequences, and the slaughter of cows supported by their good market price. Despite all this, Spain has suffered a smaller percentage reduction in its population than other large EU producers.
This figure worsens when analyzed at the European level, with a reduction in the number of cattle of nearly 1.7 million head, which represents a drop of 2.3% compared to the previous year, but 5% compared to 2021. In the case of total cows in the EU, the decrease has been 1,763,000 cows in the period 2021-2024, and specifically 1 million cows in the last year alone.
Despite the decline in animal numbers, net beef production in Spain increased last year due to a decrease in live animal exports to third countries (-13%).
The total amount of meat exported (including fresh, frozen, offal, fat, and other meats) amounted to 271,652 tons, practically in line with the previous year's figure.
For the most part, these total Spanish beef exports were destined for the European market, with Portugal (76,304 t), Italy (41,815 t) and France (40,574 t) leading the way.
Fresh meat exports increased by 8% in 2024 to 195,402 tonnes, and among the destinations, apart from the traditional markets (Portugal, Italy and France), the emergence of Algeria stands out, absorbing 26,514 tonnes in less than a year, which has led our country to double its exports to third countries, which totaled 52,196 tonnes.
The increase in fresh meat exports was offset by a decline in offal exports, reflecting the growing market interest in these traditional products in Spanish cuisine.
In terms of the value of these exports, fresh meat has once again increased the most in the last year, rising from €1.012 billion in 2023 to €1.170 billion in 2024. Overall, total meat exports amounted to €1.507 billion in 2024, compared to €1.381 billion the previous year.
Regarding imports, a total of around 190,500 tonnes were imported in 2024 (around 30,000 tonnes more than the previous year) for a total value of €1.171 billion, mainly from Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany, with Brazil being the top supplier on the list of third countries. There was again a notable increase in fresh meat imports, both in volume, which increased from 96,192 tonnes in 2023 to 114,326 tonnes in 2024, and in value, from €736 million in 2023 to €870 million in 2024.
Producer prices are the highest in the history of this sector, with the average price for AR3 yearlings (medium conformation and fatness) reaching €542/100 kg in 2024, compared to the average of €518/100 kg the previous year. It's worth noting that so far in 2025 (the first 12 weeks), the average price for the same category stands at €657/100 kg.
Despite the price trend, household consumption has seen a slight increase in 2024, rising from 3.89 to 3.92 kg/capita.
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