Number of pigs increased 3% and poultry 2.2% in Ukraine in 2023

MOSCOW. April 4 (Interfax) - The number of pigs in Ukraine in 2023 in all types of farms has increased by 3%, and poultry by 2.2%, head of the department of livestock and breeding of the Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Ministry's department of agrarian development Yelena Dadus said at the MeatForum conference.

"Domestic producers of livestock products almost fully provide the domestic food market and their processing component. Last year, meat consumption in Ukraine per person amounted to 54.7 kilograms with the minimum standard of 52 kilograms. The forecast of consumption for 2024 is 53.9 kilograms, which is due to a decline in the consumption of beef. However, there will be higher demand among the population for pork and poultry meat as the most affordable types of meat," Ukrainian media quoted her as saying by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food press service.

At the same time, it is noted that poultry meat production in Ukraine grew by 5.8% in 2023 year-on-year. This segment provides export demand for Ukrainian products.

The total meat imports have dropped due to ramping up its own meat production, the ministry said. Ukraine imported meat products from Poland, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary, and Canada.

At the same time, there was an upsurge in meat exports. The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, China, Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom and Georgia purchased Ukrainian products more often.