Methodology and data
What the dashboard measures, how to interpret its filters, and where the figures come from.
Source and coverage
Data comes from Eurostat Comext, dataset DS-045409. The dashboard covers all 27 EU member states as reporting countries, with yearly, monthly, destination and bilateral views.
The product selection uses active CN8 codes under heading 0102 for live bovine animals, excluding buffalo. Eurostat aggregate partner entries, such as world or EU totals, are excluded where country-level rows are used to avoid double-counting.
The map uses a low-resolution world boundary layer. Some small states and territories have no separate polygon, so their trade can appear in country-level views but may not be shaded individually on the map.
Animals and trade value
Animals uses the supplementary quantity reported with the trade record. Trade value (€) uses the declared euro value of the goods. It is a nominal trade value, not a price per animal, profit, or inflation-adjusted measure.
The latest calendar year may be incomplete when viewed, since reporting continues through the year. Eurostat can also revise historical records, so later updates may change earlier figures.
Product filters
The filter views group customs product codes by their reported description and purpose. “For slaughter,” “for breeding,” and “for production-rearing” describe declared trade categories.
“Calves (≤300 kg)” is a weight-based grouping, not an age measure. Comext does not report animal age, and the weight bands cannot reliably distinguish veal from beef.
Exports and imports may differ
Export vs. import compares declarations recorded by the reporting country and its selected partner. Timing, valuation, coverage and later revisions can cause the two sides to differ. The difference should not be read on its own as proof of an error or of unrecorded trade.
Map colours show the distribution among destinations in the selected year. Use the map information box for the reported total; colour bands are intended to compare destinations within that year.