Estonian residents consume on the average 36.8 kilograms of pork, 20.8 kilograms of poultry meat, 7.8 kilograms of beef and 0.6 kilograms of mutton and goat meat annually, it appears from a survey of the meat market in 2012 carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Consumption of pork grew 3.7 percent compared with 2011, whereas consumption of poultry meat and beef dropped respectively 5.5 percent and 31.6 percent.
Compared with the consumption of various meats in the European Union on average, the main difference is that Estonian residents eat significantly less beef, mutton and goat meat, the survey says. Residents of Estonia also eat less pork and poultry meat than residents of the EU on average, but not as much less as beef, mutton and goat meat.
The reduction in the consumption of beef in Estonia can be partially attributed to extensive exports of live cattle and resulting smaller output of beef. Also the price increase is seen to have a significant effect.
The price rise in its turn is caused primarily by higher input prices.
The purchase price of beef has grown constantly since 2007, which is having an upward effect on all prices of meat and meat products. In the two last years the retail price of beef has declined in comparison with the preceding year, nevertheless remaining on a high level of more than six euros per kilogram.
According to preliminary data, the retail price of pork was 0.05 euros or one percent lower and of beef 0.55 euros or 8.2 percent lower than in 2011.