Economic value

Breeding sector added value
The European breeding sector has an added value of €2 billion per year (estimated). 
  • 40% originating from pig breeding
  • 30% originating from cattle breeding
  • 15% originating from poultry breeding
  • 15% relating to the remaining livestock breeding sector. 
Farm animal production in Europe (EU-27, 2010)
Gross production value €130.1 billion:
  • Cow milk production - 35% (leading)
  • Pig meat production - 24% (2nd place)
  • Cattle meat production - 18% (3th place)
  • Egg production - 17% (3th place)
  • Chicken meat production - 16% (3th place)
  • Sheep meat production - 14% (3th place)
  • Goat meat production - 3% (3th place)
Market share
The market share of the European breeding industry is different per specie:
  • Ruminant breeders: up to 25%
  • Pig breeders: up to 25% (75-100% of national market)
  • Poultry breeders: laying: 80-95% (75% of global market) - broilers: 35-60%.
Employment (EU-27, 2008)
  • Over 48 million person in the food production chain
  • Over 17 million different holdings/enterprises - 81.8% of these holdings were active in agriculture.