EU beef production to stay stable
Production within the 15 member states represented 97% self-sufficiency in 2003 and the balance is expected to remain at the same level this year, the second year in which the EU will produce less beef than the consumer market requires.
Bord Bia believes that the 3% deficit in production will attract an increase in beef imports from the competitively priced producer countries such as South America, particularly because EU intervention stocks of beef have been totally cleared.
The 2004 production level of 97% self-sufficiency contrasts with production of 108.5% of requirements in 2001 and surplus in all years for the previous decade.
Production in France, the largest producer of beef within the EU 15 is forecast to decline by 4% on 2003 levels, which were only marginally lower than 2002 levels. France is expected to be 96% self-sufficient.
Production in Germany is expected to decline by 3% on 2003 output, which was 7% lower than 2002. As a result of the continued decline in beef production in Germany, supplies available for export are expected to drop by 10% following a landslide of 37% in export sales last year.
Production in both the Netherlands and Spain is expected to increase. Production in the Netherlands is expected to increase by 3% and output in Spain is expected to grow by 2% in 2004. A marginal change upwards in consumption is predicted for both countries.
Production is expected to remain stable in Italy where consumption is likely to decline by 1%. Production in Britain is expected to increase 2%.
