How EU Meat Prices Moved in 2025

Meat prices across the European Union increased noticeably in 2025, but not evenly. While some categories experienced steady inflation across most EU Member States, others showed extreme price divergence between countries, reflecting deeper structural and market-driven dynamics. Beef and lamb prices reached historically high levels in several regions, while pigmeat remained comparatively cheaper but volatile.

This report analyses EU meat price developments during 2025 across beef, pigmeat, and sheepmeat categories, using official market price data converted to €/kg carcass weight. Rather than focusing solely on price levels, the analysis highlights price dispersion, country positioning, and the underlying factors identified by market institutions and agricultural outlook reports.

Beef Markets

Beef – Cows

EU cow prices rose steadily throughout 2025, increasing from approximately 4.6 €/kg in January to just over 6.1 €/kg by December. Ireland consistently recorded the highest prices, reaching 6.6–7.0 €/kg, while Greece remained the cheapest market at around 2.6–3.0 €/kg.

This upward trend reflects tight availability of slaughter cows across the EU. Structural herd reductions in major beef-producing countries have limited supply, while export demand has helped sustain prices even as consumer sensitivity to beef price inflation increased. The large gap between Northern and Southern EU prices highlights persistent differences in production systems and purchasing power.

Beef – Heifers

Heifer prices showed one of the strongest increases among beef categories, rising from roughly 5.7 €/kg to 7.3 €/kg on average. Italy recorded the highest prices, peaking near 7.9 €/kg, while Hungary remained among the lowest at 3.2–3.5 €/kg.

Elevated heifer prices are often associated with breeding herd retention. When producers anticipate strong future beef prices, heifers are kept longer for reproduction or finishing, reducing immediate slaughter availability. This behavior was reinforced in 2025 by declining EU cattle numbers and rising replacement costs.

Beef – Steers

Steer prices increased from around 5.7 €/kg to 7.2–7.3 €/kg over the year. Italy again stood out as the most expensive market, with prices reaching approximately 8.0 €/kg, while Romania recorded the lowest values near 4.6 €/kg.

Steers are a key benchmark for prime beef production. Sustained high prices in this category indicate that supply constraints outweighed any demand slowdown, particularly in premium beef markets. Eastern Member States continued to trade at lower price levels due to cost structures and lower domestic consumption capacity.

Beef – Male Bovines

Prices for male bovines followed the broader beef market trend, rising from about 5.6 €/kg to 7.0 €/kg. Spain recorded the highest prices at roughly 7.4 €/kg, while Slovakia remained among the cheapest markets at around 4.8 €/kg.

This category displayed less volatility than more specific beef classes, suggesting that price movements were driven by systemic market tightening rather than category-specific shocks.

Beef – Young Bovines and Young Bulls

Young bovine prices increased from approximately 6.1 €/kg to 7.2 €/kg, with Austria reaching highs of 7.7 €/kg and Latvia recording lows near 3.8–4.5 €/kg. Young bull prices followed a similar trajectory, peaking around 7.5 €/kg in Spain and falling as low as 4.3–5.0 €/kg in Bulgaria and Slovakia.

These developments indicate reduced availability of young animals entering slaughter, likely due to retention strategies and tighter breeding herds. Countries with strong processing industries and export orientation maintained higher price levels throughout the year.

Pigmeat Markets

Pigmeat – Class E

Pigmeat Class E prices were significantly lower than beef but showed notable volatility. Prices ranged from approximately 1.2 €/kg in the Netherlands to 2.6 €/kg in Romania.

EU pig numbers have been declining in recent years, reducing supply and increasing price sensitivity to changes in demand and export flows. Despite lower absolute prices, pigmeat markets remained under pressure from rising production costs and structural adjustments within the sector.

Pigmeat – Class R and Class S

Class R and S pigmeat prices followed similar patterns, with upper ranges of approximately 2.6–2.7 €/kg and lower ranges near 1.5–1.6 €/kg. Romania consistently recorded the highest prices, while the Netherlands remained among the lowest.

Price dispersion reflects differences in carcass grading, domestic processing demand, and market orientation. Higher grades commanded premiums where demand for quality cuts remained strong, particularly in Southern EU markets.

Piglets

Piglet prices were the most volatile within the pig sector. Prices ranged from just 0.27 €/kg in the Netherlands to over 1.1 €/kg in Italy, with peaks occurring in spring and early summer.

Piglet markets are inherently cyclical and closely tied to producer expectations. Low prices in the Netherlands reflect scale efficiencies and export-focused production, while higher prices in Southern Europe indicate tighter local supply and dependence on imports.

Sheep and Goat Meat

Lamb – Heavy

Heavy lamb prices remained high throughout 2025, averaging around 9.0–10.0 €/kg. Croatia recorded extreme peaks near 13.3 €/kg, while Romania posted the lowest prices at approximately 3.3–4.0 €/kg.

High lamb prices are linked to limited EU sheep numbers, combined with strong seasonal and cultural demand. Reduced domestic production in several key countries has increased reliance on imports, further supporting prices.

Lamb – Light

Light lamb prices were even more volatile, rising from about 8.9 €/kg to over 10.3 €/kg, with Croatia again recording highs above 13.4 €/kg and Latvia among the lowest at around 5.3 €/kg.

This category reflects niche consumption patterns and strong seasonality, making it particularly sensitive to supply disruptions and demand peaks.

Cross-Market Conclusions

Across all categories, 2025 was characterized by structural supply tightening rather than temporary shocks. Beef and lamb markets were most affected by declining herd and flock sizes, while pigmeat markets remained cyclical but constrained by falling animal numbers. Significant price gaps between Member States persist, driven by production systems, efficiency, and domestic demand conditions.

Sources:

1. https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DataPortal/prices.html

2. European Commission – Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development
   EU Short-Term Outlook for Agricultural Markets
   https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu

3. AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board)
   EU Red Meat Market Updates and Medium-Term Outlooks
   https://ahdb.org.uk

4. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
   Livestock and Products Annual Reports – European Union
   https://apps.fas.usda.gov

5. The Beef Site
   EU Livestock Numbers and Price Volatility
   https://www.thebeefsite.com

6. MeatBorsa
   European Lamb Market Dynamics and Wholesale Outlook
   https://meatborsa.com

7. QMS Scotland
   Red Meat Market Trends and Price Developments
   https://qmscotland.co.uk