Global beef trade closes the 2020s with rising demand, more limited supply, and persistent volatility

Beef trade has continued to grow over the last five years, up 14% from 2019, reaching nearly 13m metric tons in 2024. RaboResearch believes that the global beef trade will continue to grow over the next five years, although at a slightly slower rate.

The last five years have seen a huge amount of disruption and volatility in global beef markets, with disease outbreaks, geopolitics, and changing economic conditions on top of the more regular seasonal variations. We believe this volatility is likely to continue in the coming years.

Supply side impacts are expected to see reduced global beef supplies in the short term before production recovers, causing margins in the supply chain to shift from the production end to the consumption end.

We expect growing tension between global and domestic consumers, as strong export demand drives up prices and redirects supply away from local markets.

> Click here to download the World Beef Map 2025

Poster versions of the World Beef Map are exclusively available to Rabobank clients. To receive one, please contact your relationship manager.