According to Statistics Estonia, 76 500 tonnes of meat were produced in Estonia in 2024, which is 1% more than the year before. The average annual meat production was 56 kg per person. Including imported meat, a total of 78 kg of meat per person were consumed during the year. 71% of the meat consumed in Estonia in 2024 was locally produced.
As at the end of last year, 232 400 cattle, 283 600 pigs, 49 300 sheep and goats, and 2.4 million poultry were kept in Estonia. The number of cattle fell to an all-time low.
Ege Kirs, leading analyst at Statistics Estonia, pointed out that meat production in Estonia was up in 2024 due to the 6% increase in pork production.
“However, poultry production decreased by 3% and beef production by 5%. Sheep and goat meat production in Estonia remained very low at 400 tonnes. 42 100 tonnes of pork, 22 200 tonnes of poultry meat, and 11 800 tonnes of beef were produced,” Kirs added.
The imports of meat and meat contained in various products have not changed significantly compared with 2023. Last year, Estonia imported 75 500 tonnes and exported 44 300 tonnes of meat.
Based on production and export and import data, a total of 107 600 tonnes of meat were consumed in Estonia in 2024. Pork is the most consumed meat in Estonia – 42.4 kg per person per year. In 2024, poultry meat consumption amounted to 27.2 kg per person, while 7.9 kg of beef were eaten. Sheep and goat meat consumption was less than 0.5 kg per capita. Consumption of most types of meat has increased, with the greatest rise recorded for pork – 13%.
By dividing production by consumption, the level of meat self-sufficiency can be estimated. Last year, 71% of the meat consumed in Estonia was locally produced. The level of self-sufficiency was 72% for pork, 58% for poultry, 109% for beef, and 80% for sheep and goat meat.