Rabbit Meat Market

The global rabbit meat market is projected to show slight growth in both consumption and production over the period from 2022 to 2030. China leads in both volume and value terms, with other key players including Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Egypt, Spain, and Hungary. The market saw a decline in consumption and production in 2022, but there are signs of a potential rebound in the coming years. Imports and exports of rabbit meat also showed fluctuations, with countries like Germany, Belgium, and Spain being major importers and Spain, Hungary, and Belgium being key exporters.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for rabbit meat worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 928K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $5.2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Rabbit Meat

For the third consecutive year, the global market recorded decline in consumption of rabbit or hare meat, which decreased by -10.7% to 807K tons in 2022. In general, consumption saw a pronounced decrease. Global consumption peaked at 1.3M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global rabbit meat market size fell modestly to $4.1B in 2022, approximately mirroring the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption showed a perceptible reduction. Global consumption peaked at $6B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

China (354K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of rabbit meat consumption, comprising approx. 44% of total volume. Moreover, rabbit meat consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (151K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Egypt (67K tons), with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at -6.9%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (+0.1% per year) and Egypt (+2.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Democratic People's Republic of Korea ($665M). It was followed by Egypt.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at -3.2%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (-1.2% per year) and Egypt (+2.4% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of rabbit meat per capita consumption was registered in the Czech Republic (3.7 kg per person), followed by Spain (0.9 kg per person), Egypt (0.6 kg per person) and Italy (0.4 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of rabbit meat was estimated at 0.1 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the rabbit meat per capita consumption in the Czech Republic was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (-3.2% per year) and Egypt (+0.1% per year).

Production

World Production of Rabbit Meat

For the third consecutive year, the global market recorded decline in production of rabbit or hare meat, which decreased by -11.2% to 807K tons in 2022. In general, production continues to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 3.3%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak volume at 1.3M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum. The general negative trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a pronounced decrease of the number of producing animals and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, rabbit meat production amounted to $4.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a perceptible setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $6B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of rabbit meat production was China (358K tons), accounting for 44% of total volume. Moreover, rabbit meat production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (151K tons), twofold. Egypt (67K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at -6.9%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Democratic People's Republic of Korea (+0.1% per year) and Egypt (+2.2% per year).

Yield

The global average rabbit meat yield shrank to 1.5 kg per head in 2022, with a decrease of -4.3% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the yield increased by 6.5% against the previous year. The global yield peaked at 1.5 kg per head in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Producing Animals

The global number of animals slaughtered for rabbit meat production contracted to 548M heads in 2022, with a decrease of -7.2% compared with the year before. Overall, the number of producing animals continues to indicate a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 3.5%. The global producing animals peaked at 894M heads in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports

World Imports of Rabbit Meat

In 2022, overseas purchases of rabbit or hare meat increased by 3.6% to 29K tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. In general, imports, however, saw a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at 39K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, rabbit meat imports fell modestly to $136M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 8.9%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $196M. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Germany (5.5K tons) and Belgium (4.4K tons) were the major importers of rabbit or hare meatin the world, together constituting 35% of total imports. France (2.7K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Spain (2.6K tons), Italy (2.2K tons), Portugal (2.1K tons), the United States (1.4K tons) and the Czech Republic (1.3K tons). All these countries together held approx. 43% share of total imports. The following importers - Poland (1,016 tons), the Netherlands (802 tons), Switzerland (671 tons), the UK (587 tons) and Slovakia (481 tons) - together made up 12% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +48.7%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($30M), Belgium ($20M) and Italy ($11M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 45% of global imports. Portugal, Spain, the Czech Republic, Poland, France, the United States, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 44%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +45.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average rabbit meat import price amounted to $4,776 per ton, falling by -5.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 17% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $5,308 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($8,332 per ton), while France ($2,267 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+3.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Rabbit Meat

In 2022, the amount of rabbit or hare meat exported worldwide shrank to 29K tons, which is down by -12.1% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 43K tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the global exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, rabbit meat exports dropped to $140M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $212M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Spain (8.2K tons), distantly followed by Hungary (4.4K tons), France (3.8K tons), Belgium (3.7K tons), China (3.7K tons) and Italy (1.4K tons) were the key exporters of rabbit or hare meat, together creating 86% of total exports. The Netherlands (1.2K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +3.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest rabbit meat supplying countries worldwide were Spain ($30M), Hungary ($27M) and Belgium ($22M), together comprising 57% of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Spain, with a CAGR of +2.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average rabbit meat export price amounted to $4,769 per ton, picking up by 3.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 18%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $5,342 per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($6,160 per ton), while Spain ($3,697 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+2.4%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform