Polish beef producers seek EU protection against Mercosur imports

The Polish Sustainable Beef Platform (PPZW) has formally requested that the Polish Minister of Finance and Economy initiate European Union protective procedures against beef imports from Mercosur countries, specifically targeting Brazil. The organization argues that the trade agreement is exerting downward pressure on prices, which threatens the viability of thousands of Polish farms.

According to Eurostat data cited in the request, EU imports of fresh and frozen beef from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay increased by 13.4% in May and June 2026 compared to the previous year. This follows the temporary application of the Mercosur trade agreement which began on May 1, 2026. In Poland, beef prices for chilled and frozen meat dropped from 28.14 PLN/kg in May to 25.07 PLN/kg by late July 2026.

Market reports suggest a more nuanced outlook, noting that while beef purchase prices have declined since the start of 2026, the situation may eventually improve production profitability due to lower feed costs. EU beef production is projected to decrease by 2.2% in 2026, driven by a shrinking cattle population. While Mercosur remains a competitive challenge, some analysts note that the initial months of the agreement have not yet had a definitive negative impact on the broader market.