Beef (cattle meat) production in Germany
In 2024 Germany produced 1.0 million t of beef (cattle meat), the 14th largest in the world (1.46% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 11%. The record was 2.2 million t in 1991.
- Production, 2024
- 1.0 million t
- World rank
- 14 of 189
- 10-year change
- −11%
- Record
- 2.2 million t
- 1991
Beef (cattle meat) in Germany, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Germany compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 1.5%
- 1.8% in 2014
- kg per person
- 12.0
- world 8.55
- 10-year change
- −11%
- world +10%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Uzbekistan | 1,161,390 | 1.7% |
| 13 | South Africa | 1,101,970 | 1.6% |
| 14 | Germany | 1,015,350 | 1.5% |
| 15 | United Kingdom | 934,300 | 1.3% |
| 16 | Zimbabwe | 755,211 | 1.1% |
Map of world production of beef (cattle meat)
Share of the world total; Germany is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,015,350 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | 1,004,600 | +1.0% |
| 2022 | 994,910 | −7.9% |
| 2021 | 1,080,430 | −1.1% |
| 2020 | 1,092,030 | −1.4% |
| 2019 | 1,107,000 | −0.2% |
| 2018 | 1,109,000 | −2.5% |
| 2017 | 1,137,008 | −1.6% |
| 2016 | 1,155,483 | +2.0% |
| 2015 | 1,132,340 | −0.9% |
| 2014 | 1,142,603 | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 1,116,507 | −2.6% |
| 2012 | 1,146,255 | −2.1% |
| 2011 | 1,170,376 | −2.9% |
| 2010 | 1,205,002 | +1.3% |
| 2009 | 1,189,615 | −0.8% |
| 2008 | 1,199,431 | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 1,185,724 | −0.6% |
| 2006 | 1,193,180 | +2.3% |
| 2005 | 1,166,900 | −7.2% |
| 2004 | 1,258,000 | +2.6% |
| 2003 | 1,226,235 | −6.8% |
| 2002 | 1,316,375 | −3.3% |
| 2001 | 1,361,500 | +4.4% |
| 2000 | 1,303,500 | −5.1% |
| 1999 | 1,374,000 | +0.5% |
| 1998 | 1,367,000 | −5.6% |
| 1997 | 1,447,600 | −2.3% |
| 1996 | 1,481,800 | +5.3% |
| 1995 | 1,407,800 | −0.9% |
| 1994 | 1,420,300 | −9.6% |
| 1993 | 1,570,337 | −12% |
| 1992 | 1,789,700 | −18% |
| 1991 | 2,180,707 | +3.3% |
| 1990 | 2,111,968 | +8.1% |
| 1989 | 1,953,392 | −1.7% |
| 1988 | 1,987,982 | −5.3% |
| 1987 | 2,098,518 | −0.5% |
| 1986 | 2,109,861 | +5.9% |
| 1985 | 1,993,137 | +0.6% |
| 1984 | 1,982,190 | +6.9% |
| 1983 | 1,854,174 | −0.1% |
| 1982 | 1,855,427 | −3.5% |
| 1981 | 1,922,770 | +1.6% |
| 1980 | 1,892,590 | +2.1% |
| 1979 | 1,854,400 | +3.9% |
| 1978 | 1,784,500 | +5.3% |
| 1977 | 1,694,600 | −1.4% |
| 1976 | 1,717,900 | −0.1% |
| 1975 | 1,718,820 | −1.7% |
| 1974 | 1,748,900 | +11% |
| 1973 | 1,574,600 | +3.7% |
| 1972 | 1,518,828 | −9.3% |
| 1971 | 1,674,235 | +0.7% |
| 1970 | 1,663,194 | +6.6% |
| 1969 | 1,560,173 | +2.5% |
| 1968 | 1,522,092 | +3.6% |
| 1967 | 1,469,476 | +1.9% |
| 1966 | 1,441,495 | +8.3% |
| 1965 | 1,331,000 | −2.3% |
| 1964 | 1,362,900 | −2.8% |
| 1963 | 1,402,000 | +2.1% |
| 1962 | 1,372,900 | +5.9% |
| 1961 | 1,296,200 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 152,669 t USD 861 m
- Exporter rank
- 5 of 92
- Imports
- 101,862 t USD 604 m
- Importer rank
- 6 of 169
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of beef (cattle meat) in Germany?
Germany produced 1.0 million t in 2024, 1.5% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Germany rank in the world for production of beef (cattle meat)?
Germany ranked 14th of 189 countries in 2024. The largest producer was United States with 17.6% of the world total.
How has the production of beef (cattle meat) in Germany changed?
It fell by 11% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +10% for the world. The record was 2.2 million t in 1991.
Does Germany export or import meat of cattle with the bone, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 Germany reported exports of 152,669 t (USD 861 m) and imports of 101,862 t (USD 604 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.