Number of cattle in Ukraine down 5% in 2023 - industry association

MOSCOW. Jan 17 (Interfax) - The total of number of cattle in Ukraine declined 3.3%, or by 73,500 heads, as of January 1, 2024 year-on-year, Ukrainian media said, citing the Association of Milk Producers.

The cow population fell 4.9%, or by 62,600 heads, the association said.

The association estimated the number of cattle owned by individuals and farms at 2.23 million, including 1.29 million cows, as of the beginning of the year.

The total number of cattle in Ukraine dropped 4.9%, or by 109,600 heads, as compared to December 1, 2023. The number of cows fell 1.2%, or by 15,000 heads. Around 29% of the cattle population is owned by agricultural enterprises and 71% by individuals. The number of cattle at agricultural enterprises declined 0.1% to 912,600 heads as compared to the same period in 2023, the association said. The number of cows owned by agricultural enterprises dropped 0.6% (2,200 heads) to 373,500. The total number of cattle decreased 3.2%, or by 29,500 heads, over the past year. The number of cows shrank 5.5%, or by 20,700 heads.

The reduction in the number of cattle owned by individuals was more serious in December 2023 - by 8.2% to 1.32 million heads. The number of cows owned by individuals stood at 916,700 on January 1, 2024, which is 1.4%, 12,800 heads, less than a month earlier. The number of cattle owned by individuals dropped 3.3%, or by 44,000 heads, over the past year. The cow population declined 4.6%, or by 41,900 heads.