European live animal imports in 2023 were led by Germany, followed closely by the Netherlands. Both saw slight declines year-on-year. Notably, Poland saw minor growth, while Spain registered a significant increase of nearly 10%. Italy and Belgium faced moderate declines. Smaller markets like Latvia, Estonia, and Sweden experienced double-digit percentage growth. Conversely, Denmark and Serbia saw significant downturns. Over a five-year span, trends indicate a general decrease in imports for larger markets, suggesting a shift or consolidation within the industry.
Future trends to watch include the sustainability impacts of livestock transportation, potential regulatory changes within the EU, and shifts in consumer preference towards plant-based and alternative proteins. It will be essential to monitor how economic and environmental factors will alter the volume of imports and the strategic approaches of leading importing nations.
Top countries in Live Animals Imports by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Thousand Metric Tons | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Germany | 925.89 | 2023 | +1.28% | -1.22% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Netherlands | 897.26 | 2023 | +2.89% | -3.01% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Italy | 509.26 | 2023 | -0.26% | -2.2% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Belgium | 411.21 | 2023 | -0.94% | -1.22% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Poland | 384.48 | 2023 | +1.89% | +0.73% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Spain | 259.35 | 2023 | +8.15% | +9.56% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Hungary | 141.24 | 2023 | +3.68% | +2.05% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Austria | 122.42 | 2023 | +1.77% | -0.86% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Portugal | 99.87 | 2023 | +0.3% | -2.27% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Romania | 86.37 | 2023 | +3.23% | +5.31% | View data |
