Central Europe expects beef cattle numbers to expand

This difference is primarily due to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) . In most western EU Member States (MS), such as France , farmers' income depends primarily on the hectares cultivated. In Central Europe, CAP support is specifically provided to small farmers engaged in cattle breeding , which represents a higher electoral potential.

This sector-specific support, combined with record high carcass prices and the recent fall in feed prices, is expected to support a modest recovery in calf production and herd expansion in Central Europe.

Another trend observed in the region is a shift from dairy to beef production, driven by the generally higher investment and labor intensity of dairy farming. At the same time, local dual-purpose breeds (dairy and beef) are gaining popularity due to their flexibility in adapting to market conditions and their longer productive lifespan.