April 5, 2012

Germany's beef imports increased 5% during 2011, to 314,600 tonnes (BPEX), with 83% of shipments coming from EU member states and the Netherlands being the largest supplier, at around 90,000 tonnes, followed by France, Poland and Denmark.

Imports from non-EU member countries during 2011 fell by 1%, to 52,100 tonnes. Historically, Argentina has been the largest non-EU country supplier, with a total imported market share of 8% in 2011, totalling 26,700 tonnes. In 2009, Argentina supplied 36,100 tonnes, with a market share of 13%. The reduction in supply from Argentina over the past two years has largely been offset by increased imports from Brazil, the US and Uruguay (BPEX).

Australian exports to Germany are limited, with only 144 tonnes of beef shipped in 2011, up from 85 tonnes in 2010. Australia's largest export market within the EU in 2011 was the UK (6,698 tonnes), followed by Italy (2,456 tonnes), Denmark (1,623 tonnes) and the Netherlands (1,492 tonnes).