Cattle herds are stabilizing in Central Europe

A recent USDA GAIN report has highlighted a distinct trend in dairy and beef cow herd numbers between Western and Central Europe. Western Europe is witnessing a reduction in cow herds, primarily due to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which favors small cattle farmers in Central Europe, leading to stabilization and growth in these regions. Poland's dairy and beef sectors are experiencing significant growth, with a 21% increase in slaughter in the first half of 2024. There's a shift towards beef production in Central Europe due to its lower labor intensity compared to dairy farming. Romania and the Balkan countries, including Croatia, Bulgaria, and Greece, are also seeing an increase in beef cow numbers, driven by marketing challenges in the dairy sector and improving beef export markets.

The trend of the dairy and beef cow herd numbers differ between Western and Central Europe, according to a recent US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report. While in Western Europe significant reductions are reported, both the dairy and beef cow herds are stabilizing in Central Europe. This difference is mainly caused by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU. In most western EU Member States, the farmer’s income is pre-dominantly based on the farmed hectares. While in Central Europe, CAP support is provided specifically to small cattle farmers. The economic and policy climate for cattle farming is particularly positive in Poland. The Polish dairy sector is restructuring and further building its dairy herd, phasing out the less efficient and older cows. While the Polish beef sector is benefitting from the increased beef prices, and the improving demand in EU as well as non-EU markets. To fulfill this demand, the sector is ...