Overview
- Producer prices for young bulls have climbed past €7 per kilogram, with retail steaks commonly selling for €40 to more than €50 per kilogram.
- Germany’s cattle inventory fell from 12.6 million in May 2015 to 10.3 million in May 2025, and industry leaders say no reversal in cattle farming is in sight.
- The bluetongue outbreak intensified shortages in 2024, with 17,854 cases recorded through April 2025; cases have eased after vaccination and natural exposure yet the price impact persists.
- Higher revenues have been offset by rising costs, as farm groups report sharply pricier bull calves, heavy investment needs, and administrative burdens.
- The not‑yet‑ratified EU–Mercosur deal is expected to have only a limited effect on EU beef prices due to tightly capped additional import volumes.