Bœuf de Vendée

Bœuf de Vendée is a PGI-protected fresh beef from the Vendée department of France, covering heifers, young cows, and castrated males raised and fattened on a single holding. Animals must meet minimum carcass weight, defined conformation and fat-cover grades, and a specified slaughter-age range, with each carcass accompanied by a Certificat de Garantie d'Origine.

About this designation

Registered as a PGI under file number PGI-FR-0592, with EU protection dating from 8 March 2007 and eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013876, Bœuf de Vendée covers fresh meat — sold as carcasses, quarters, or cuts — produced from heifers, young cows, or castrated males. The geographical area comprises the whole of the Vendée department and neighbouring small natural regions as defined in the specification. Eligible animals are thoroughbred or crossbred beef breeds, or crossbreeds of mixed-breed mothers with beef-breed fathers; uncastrated males and animals under 30 months are excluded. Minimum carcass weight is 380 kg, conformation must be (S) EUR, and fat-cover grade must be 2 or 3. Age at slaughter must be between 30 and 96 months. Calving, rearing, and fattening must all take place on a single holding within the PGI area. Natural breastfeeding is mandatory from birth to weaning, with weaning occurring between six and nine months. Pasture and shed cycles are mandatory, with a minimum of two such cycles in the animal's lifecycle; time in pasture must equal at least four months. At least 80 % of forage must originate from the holding, with the remainder sourced from within the PGI area. The annual average stocking rate must not exceed two livestock units per hectare of principal forage area. Post-slaughter, pH and temperature are measured 24 hours after slaughter and must be below pH 6 and 6 °C respectively. A minimum maturation period of 10 days is required. Each carcass or part-carcass is accompanied to the butcher's counter by a Certificat de Garantie d'Origine. Labels must carry the PGI logo and the words 'Indication Géographique Protégée'.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 28, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 8 March 2007 under file number PGI-FR-0592 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013876).
• Uncastrated males and all animals under 30 months are explicitly excluded from the designation.
• At least 80 % of forage fed to the animals must originate from the holding itself; the remainder must come from within the PGI area.
• pH and temperature, measured 24 hours after slaughter, must be below pH 6 and 6 °C respectively; a minimum maturation period of 10 days is required.

Tasting notes

Vendée beef IGP. Firm beef from Atlantic-coastal farming.

HoReCa use

Western France regional preparations.

Packaging

• Same as other beef IGPs