Greek Beef Prices Soar As Imports Dominate Supply

Greece produces lone a fraction of the beef it consumes, covering conscionable 10% of nationalist demand, portion the remaining 90% comes from imports, according to figures presented by the Hellenic Livestock Association (SEK).

This dense reliance connected overseas markets leaves Greek consumers exposed to planetary terms pressures. Retail beef prices are already rising sharply, with forecasts suggesting they could soon scope €20 per kilo.

Farmers leaving the sector

SEK president Dimitris Moschos described the outlook for cattle farming arsenic “bleak.” In caller years, astir 6% of producers—mainly younger farmers—have abandoned livestock farming, starring to an 8% diminution successful Greek beef production.

Adverse upwind has besides affected reproduction rates, with astir 3% less calves expected this year, resulting successful a projected 10% shortfall successful section beef supply.

Climate alteration and EU policies adhd pressure
Moschos pointed to clime conditions, including droughts, arsenic good arsenic European Union biology policies aimed astatine reducing livestock emissions, arsenic further factors undermining production.

“Thousands of animals person been slaughtered successful Europe successful the sanction of greenish development,” helium said, noting that diseases specified arsenic lumpy tegument illness and bluetongue are further restricting herds crossed the continent.

A cooperative’s shrinking herds
The diminution is disposable astatine the cooperative level. In Kastoria, the section cattle breeders’ cooperative saw its rank autumn from 85 farmers to 70 wrong 3 years, portion livestock numbers dropped from 7,500 to 4,700—a nonaccomplishment of astir fractional the herd.

Policy choices favoring imports
According to Moschos, authorities argumentation has worsened the concern by prioritizing subsidies for imported livestock fattened successful Greece alternatively than supporting home herds.

“The logic was that arsenic agelong arsenic beef was disposable to conscionable marketplace needs, it didn’t substance if it was Greek oregon imported,” helium said. Farmers reason this attack undermines semipermanent nutrient information and threatens the endurance of section cattle farming.