Beef (cattle meat) production in Iceland
In 2024 Iceland produced 4,860 t of beef (cattle meat), the 143rd largest in the world (0.01% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 39%. The record was 4,965 t in 2021.
- Production, 2024
- 4,860 t
- World rank
- 143 of 189
- 10-year change
- +39%
- Record
- 4,965 t
- 2021
Beef (cattle meat) in Iceland, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Iceland compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.01%
- 0.01% in 2014
- kg per person
- 12.4
- world 8.55
- 10-year change
- +39%
- world +10%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 141 | Cyprus | 5,640 | 0.01% |
| 142 | Congo | 5,383 | 0.01% |
| 143 | Iceland | 4,860 | 0.01% |
| 144 | Fiji | 4,160 | 0.01% |
| 145 | North Macedonia | 4,135 | 0.01% |
Map of world production of beef (cattle meat)
Share of the world total; Iceland is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4,860 | −0.5% |
| 2023 | 4,885 | −1.3% |
| 2022 | 4,948 | −0.3% |
| 2021 | 4,965 | +6.7% |
| 2020 | 4,652 | −3.6% |
| 2019 | 4,826 | +1.1% |
| 2018 | 4,775 | +3.5% |
| 2017 | 4,614 | +5.2% |
| 2016 | 4,387 | +22% |
| 2015 | 3,605 | +3.1% |
| 2014 | 3,495 | −14% |
| 2013 | 4,082 | −0.8% |
| 2012 | 4,114 | +6.6% |
| 2011 | 3,858 | −0.9% |
| 2010 | 3,895 | +3.6% |
| 2009 | 3,761 | +4.3% |
| 2008 | 3,607 | +1.4% |
| 2007 | 3,557 | +11% |
| 2006 | 3,196 | −9.7% |
| 2005 | 3,540 | −2.0% |
| 2004 | 3,611 | −0.4% |
| 2003 | 3,624 | −0.4% |
| 2002 | 3,639 | −1.2% |
| 2001 | 3,683 | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 3,626 | −1.0% |
| 1999 | 3,664 | +6.4% |
| 1998 | 3,443 | +0.1% |
| 1997 | 3,441 | +9.5% |
| 1996 | 3,142 | +2.6% |
| 1995 | 3,061 | −14% |
| 1994 | 3,541 | +4.1% |
| 1993 | 3,401 | +0.6% |
| 1992 | 3,380 | +13% |
| 1991 | 2,998 | +2.3% |
| 1990 | 2,932 | +1.5% |
| 1989 | 2,890 | −1.1% |
| 1988 | 2,923 | −11% |
| 1987 | 3,302 | −3.3% |
| 1986 | 3,416 | +5.5% |
| 1985 | 3,239 | +15% |
| 1984 | 2,807 | +1.7% |
| 1983 | 2,759 | +21% |
| 1982 | 2,289 | −9.8% |
| 1981 | 2,538 | +14% |
| 1980 | 2,224 | −33% |
| 1979 | 3,324 | +28% |
| 1978 | 2,593 | +18% |
| 1977 | 2,191 | −10% |
| 1976 | 2,446 | −15% |
| 1975 | 2,880 | +8.3% |
| 1974 | 2,660 | +3.4% |
| 1973 | 2,572 | +7.2% |
| 1972 | 2,400 | +11% |
| 1971 | 2,165 | −1.1% |
| 1970 | 2,190 | +14% |
| 1969 | 1,913 | +6.3% |
| 1968 | 1,800 | −34% |
| 1967 | 2,719 | +3.8% |
| 1966 | 2,620 | −3.0% |
| 1965 | 2,700 | 0.0% |
| 1964 | 2,700 | +3.8% |
| 1963 | 2,600 | 0.0% |
| 1962 | 2,600 | +30% |
| 1961 | 2,000 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Imports
- 27 t USD 436,000
- Importer rank
- 135 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 Iceland?
Iceland produced 4,860 t in 2024, 0.01% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Iceland rank in the world for production of beef (cattle meat)?
Iceland ranked 143rd 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 Iceland changed?
It rose by 39% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +10% for the world. The record was 4,965 t in 2021.
Does Iceland export or import meat of cattle with the bone, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 Iceland reported no exports and imports of 27 t (USD 436,000), 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.