Contribution of livestock value chains to the bioeconomy sectors in the EU

This brief analyses the contribution of livestock value chains to the bioeconomy sectors in the EU from an economic perspective. In 2023, the main livestock-related activities generated an approximate value added of EUR 256 bn, equivalent to 30% of total biomass producing and converting activities in the EU (EUR 863 bn). Primary production accounted for EUR 91 bn (about 40 % of all primary production and 11 % of all biomass producing and converting sectors), food-product manufacturing for EUR 108 bn (≈ 13 % of the biomass producing and converting sectors), leather for EUR 10 bn and bio-based chemicals & pharmaceuticals for EUR 47 bn (approximate). Over the 2013-2023 period the livestock-related activities grew from EUR 150 bn to EUR 256 bn. The most rapid expansion was observed in chemicals and pharmaceuticals (more than a two-fold increase), while primary production and food-product manufacturing showed steady growth after 2018. The share of livestock in the wider biomass producing and converting sector remained stable, rising only from 28.2 % to 29.6 %. Member-state shares of livestock-related value added within their biomass producing and converting activities range from under 10 % to more than 40 % (e.g. Ireland). The latter are smaller economies with high specialization in livestock value chains. Countries with a share between 25 % and 35 % fall into two patterns: (i) strong agri-food economies where livestock underpins primary production and food processing (Spain, France, Poland and Romania); and (ii) economies with advanced downstream processing combined with traditional livestock streams (Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Germany and Italy). Forest-oriented northern and eastern states display lower shares (Sweden ≈ 19 %, Finland ≈ 17 %, Baltic states ≈ 15-18 %).