Sector Trend Analysis – Meat trends in the Netherlands

The Netherlands – Meat production

For market year 2021, Netherlands' meat production (beef, chicken and pork) totaled 3.0 million tonnes, with chicken for 869 thousand tonnes and beef for 430 thousand tonnes. Beef and chicken production saw decreased growth while pork saw a increased growth at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2017 to 2021.

The Netherlands – Trade summary

Of the top ten meat suppliers to the Netherlands by value, Canada was ranked as the 28th largest (valued at US$12.3 million in 2022) and accounted for 0.2% of the global market share in 2022. The largest supplier was Germany, with exports valued at US$1.5 billion in 2022. Due to the strong demand for meat, top 5 countries exporting meat to the Netherlands had a steady CAGR from 2018 to 2022, ranging from 2.5% (Thailand) to 21.0% (Poland). Canada registered the negative growth at a CAGR of 1.7% from 2018 to 2022.

Of the top 10 meat suppliers to the Netherlands by volume, Canada also ranked as the 42nd largest in 2022, exporting 0.7 thousand tonnes and accounting for 0.03% of the total world exports (2.2 million tonnes). Canada recorded the negative growth at a CAGR of 8.5% from 2018 to 2022.

Among the top 10 meat products the world exported to the Netherlands in 2022, fresh or chilled bovine meat, boneless was the largest, reaching US$1.1 billion, followed by meat or offal of fowls of the species, prepared or preserved, reaching US$823.4 million and fresh or chilled cuts and edible offal of fowls of the species, reaching US$801.9 million. Overall, the growth of the total export meat from 2018 to 2022 was a CAGR 5.1%.

Among the top 10 meat that the world exported to the Netherlands in 2022, fresh or chilled cuts and edible offal of fowls of the species was the largest, reaching 394.0 thousand tonnes, followed by frozen cuts and edible offal of fowls of the species, reaching 337.0 thousand tonnes and meat or offal of fowls of the species, prepared or preserved, reaching 184.2 thousand tonnes. Overall, the total meat export growth from 2018 to 2022 was a CAGR 4.7%.

In 2022, Canada's top meat exports to the Netherlands were carcases or half-carcases of bovine animals, fresh or chilled, at US$7,985.9 thousand, followed by fresh or chilled bovine meat, boneless at US$2,403.6 thousand and frozen cuts and edible offal of fowls of the species at US$100.4 thousand. Total meat export growth increased at a CAGR of 14.4% from 2018 to 2022.

Compared with 2021, the export of total meat to the Netherlands in 2022 increased at 49.8% in value, in particular, fresh or chilled bovine meat, boneless increased at 189.3%. However fresh or chilled bovine cuts, with bone in decreased at 99.6%.

In terms of trade volume, Canada's top exports in 2022 were carcases or half-carcases of bovine animals, fresh or chilled, at 469.8 tonnes, and fresh or chilled bovine meat, boneless, at 137.7 tonnes and frozen cuts and edible offal of fowls of the species, at 51.0 tonnes. Total meat increased at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2018 to 2022.

Compared with 2021, the export of total meat to the Netherlands in 2022 increased by 47.0% in volume. in particular, fresh or chilled bovine meat, boneless increased at 247.7%.

In terms of export value broken down by Canadian province, Alberta led with a value of US$10,390.7 thousand in 2022, which accounted for over 99.0% of Canada's total meat exports to the Netherlands. Ontario ranked second, exporting US$100.4 thousand in 2022. Total meat export grew at a CAGR of 14.4% from 2018 to 2022.

In terms of export volume by province, Alberta exported 607.7 tonnes of meat to the Netherlands in 2022, followed by Ontario at 51.0 tonnes.

Netherlands imports of beef and pork from Canada

From 2021 to 2022, Canada's beef and products export increased in value by 61.5%, from US$6.4 million in 2021 to US$10.4 million in 2022 while the CAGR was increasing at 16.5% from 2018 to 2022.

From 2021 to 2022, Canada's beef and products export to the Netherlands increased in volume by 53.0%, from 397.1 tonnes in 2021 to 607.7 tonnes in 2022 while the CAGR was increasing at 16.6% from 2018 to 2022.

In 2022, Canada' did not export any pork to the Netherlands. Therefore, the CAGR growth was calculated from 2018 to 2021 and it is decreasing at a CAGR of 19.6%.

In 2022, Canada did not export pork and products to the Netherlands. Therefore, the CAGR growth was calculated from 2018 to 2021 and it is decreasing at a CAGR of 32.5%.

Consumption and spending

1) Market size

The total volume of sales of meat in the Netherlands reached 746.3 thousand tonnes in 2022. Pork accounted for the largest volume of meat sold in the Netherlands in 2022 at 373.6 thousand tonnes (50.1% of the total meat sales), followed by poultry at 225.0 thousand tonnes and beef at 119.0 thousand tonnes. Meat sales in all categories except pork and other meat increased from 2018 to 2022. Pork had the second lowest CAGR of −0.9%. It is forecast that by 2027, total meat sales in the Netherlands will reach 763.8 tonnes. Poultry are projected to have a CAGR of 1.8% from 2023 to 2027, followed by lamb, mutton and goat and beef at a CAGR of 1.7% and 1.1% respectively.

Per capita consumption of meat by Netherlands consumers was 42.4 kilograms in 2022, decreased from 43.3 kilograms in 2018, and it is projected to reach 42.1 kilograms by 2027. Only pork has the negative growth at a CAGR of −1.5% from 2018 to 2022 but projected to have −1.0% CAGR from 2023 to 2027. Poultry and beef had a growth of CAGR 1.2% and 0% respectively from 2018 to 2022.

Compared with Canadian consumers, Netherlands' consumers consume less (42.4 kilograms in 2022) than Canadians do (75.4 kilograms in 2022) and will still remain their meat consumption same in the next five years from 2023 (42.1 kilograms) to 2027 (42.1 kilograms, same volume).

2) Retail sales value

The retail sales value of the Netherland's meat sector increased from US$5.9 billion in 2018 to US$7.0 billion in 2022, registering a CAGR of 4.4%. The sector is expected to reach US$8.5 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2023 to 2027.

3) Netherlands - Leading companies and brands in the Netherlands processed meat sector

McCain Foods Ltd (US$147.7 million), Zwanenberg Food Group BV (US$54.7 million) and Unilever Group (US$50.5 million) are the leading companies in the Netherlands' processed meat sector. Zwanenberg Food Group BV registered the highest CAGR 0f 11.3% among the top 10 companies from 2018 to 2022.

In 2022, McCain Foods Ltd recorded 6.5% share, Zwanenberg Food Group BV recorded 2.4% share while Unilever Group recorded 2.2% share. Zwanenberg Food Group BV had the biggest growth at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2018 to 2022.

In 2022, the top three brands in the Netherlands' processed meat sector were Mora (US$147.7 million), Unox (US$50.5 million) and Kips (US$42.4 million). Kips registered the highest growth at a CAGR of 13.6% from 2018 to 2022.

The top three brands in the Netherlands' processed meat sector in 2022 were Mora (6.5%). Unox (2.2%) and Kips (1.9%). Kips registered the highest growth at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2018 to 2022.

Opportunities for Canada

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). With CETA, 98% of EU tariff lines are now duty-free for Canadian goods, and an additional 1% will be eliminated over seven years. Tariff elimination provides enhanced export opportunities into the EU market for Canadian producers, processors, and manufacturers, as well as for agricultural and agri-food products, fish and seafood, forestry goods, and the full range of industrial goods. Please see Opportunities and Benefits of CETA for Canada's Agriculture and Agri-Food Exporters.

The Dutch Upper House ratified CETA and its accompanying Strategic Partnership Agreement on July 12, 2022, after the Lower House ratified it in February 2020. CETA generates new economic opportunities for both Canada and the Netherlands.

In addition, please consult the Canada Tariff Finder to explore tariff information for the CETA market, and other countries with which Canada has a free trade agreement.

For more information

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service:

International Trade Commissioners can provide Canadian industry with on-the-ground expertise regarding market potential, current conditions and local business contacts, and are an excellent point of contact for export advice.

• Find a Trade Commissioner

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For information on the upcoming trade show Anuga 2023, please contact:

Ben Berry, Deputy Director
Trade Show Strategy and Delivery
Agriculture and agri-food Canada
ben.berry@agr.gc.ca

Resources

• Euromonitor 2023
• FAOSTAT (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) 2023
• Global Trade Tracker, 2023

Sector Trend Analysis – Meat trends in the Netherlands
Global Analysis Report

Prepared by: Hongli Wang, Market Analyst

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