Beef prices are expected to continue their upward trajectory in 2026, driven by animal scarcity and increasing consumption. This trend is positioning Europe as the region with the highest beef prices globally.
Portugal currently ranks ninth in Europe for the cost of beef. Over the past four years, the price of veal has risen by 119%. This price surge is impacting consumers as beef becomes increasingly expensive both in Portugal and across the continent.
According to data from the National Statistics Institute and trends published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Portuguese consumption ranges between 85.5 and 118 kilograms (Kg) of meat per year, placing the country 16th globally in per capita consumption. Beef accounts for 21.5kg of that annual intake per person, a dietary habit that is increasingly straining household budgets.
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