Europe meat prices surge

BRUSSELS — Meat prices surged across Europe in 2025 as livestock shortages, animal disease and strong demand squeezed supply across the continent.

Beef prices rose about 10% on average across the European Union, according to Eurostat. Food prices overall increased 3.3% last year, slightly faster than the bloc’s 2.5% inflation rate.

Some meat markets climbed far faster.

Lamb and goat prices rose 7.2% across the EU, while poultry increased 4.4%, placing meat among the fastest-rising food categories in several countries.

The sharpest increases hit beef.

Prices surged more than 20% in the Netherlands (23%), Croatia (22.4%) and Latvia (20.8%). Switzerland recorded the smallest increase, with prices rising just 0.1%.

Even in countries with smaller gains, prices still climbed. Beef rose 5.3% in France, 6.1% in Italy, 6.2% in Albania and 7.3% in Norway.

Several European markets posted increases above 15%, including the Czech Republic, Portugal, Slovenia, Ireland, Lithuania, Denmark, Slovakia, Malta, Greece and Austria.

Among the EU’s four largest economies, Spain recorded the sharpest rise at 14.4%, while Germany rose 9.6%. France and Italy saw smaller increases.

Poultry prices jumped fastest in the Baltic states, rising 15.8% in Latvia and 15.2% in Estonia. Prices edged lower in Switzerland, Finland, Serbia and Cyprus.

Across Europe, the pattern is the same: fewer animals reaching market while consumer demand remains strong.