Ukrainian pig breeders are increasingly entering foreign markets

According to the "Swine Farmers of Ukraine" Association, referring to the previous data of customs statistics, in June-July 2024, the volume of Ukrainian pork exports exceeded imports. At the same time, for 7 months of the current year, import of pork amounted to 1.78 thousand tons, while export - 1.64 thousand tons. In currency terms, the discrepancy does not exceed 10% or $0.4 million.

At present, industry analysts note that in July the average purchase price of pork slightly exceeded the June indicator, but overall quotations remain at a fairly low level. This forms an organic entry barrier for imports and supports the competitiveness of Ukrainian pork in foreign markets. It is known that the UAE remains the main foreign market for Ukrainian pork (85.7% of total exports for the period), while the suppliers of pork are EU countries (37.8%) and Canada (62.2%).

In general, it is believed that, subject to the export of meat, pig farming can bring more than 200% profitability. Therefore, the creation of added value in the amount of 6 billion euros and more through the "Grain" chain. pigs "Meat" should become a promising direction for the country's development in the coming years. In the world, pork consumption increases by 2 million tons every year. Currently, Ukraine produces about 600,000 tons only for the domestic market, and world prices for pork make it possible to create added value in the middle of the country. Such industries as pig breeding and the meat industry in general have great prospects for increasing production volumes.

As Mykola Babenko, head of the "Meat Industry" Association, notes, the global consumption of pig meat increases by 2 million tons every year, and by 2030, according to the forecast of the Organization for Economic Cooperation, the volume of consumption will increase by 16.5 million tons.

According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, as of May of this year, the number of pigs in all categories of farms is 5 million 100 thousand heads. Of them, 66.5% is directly organized cultivation in business enterprises. Instead, the number of livestock in the population is decreasing. Last year, sales of farm animals for slaughter amounted to more than 3 million tons, 1.3% more than in the previous year. The relevant Ministry is convinced that pig farming really has the greatest prospects at the moment. Because here it is really possible to increase livestock in a short time. Given that feed prices are much lower in Ukraine than in the world, and the price of meat in the world is increasing, the priority naturally remains on the Ukrainian side.

But currently, two conditions are necessary for the effective development of Ukrainian pig farming - state support and the expansion of sales markets. Therefore, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy is currently working on assistance programs for farmers in the field of pig breeding. This was reported by at. Taras Vysotskyi, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, during the welcome speech at the annual business forum "Grain. pigs Meat - 2024". According to him, the annual growth in the industry is only 3-4%. It is necessary to accelerate the current growth of livestock and make this process irreversible. Currently, in order for pig farming to reach a new level of development, it is necessary to ensure the fulfillment of two conditions. The first is state support for farmers. And now, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy is working on programs to provide assistance to pig breeding stock. The second is the expansion of export markets.

As the Acting Minister noted, a potential agro-pork producer should understand that he will have systemic support from the state for 5-7 years, and later - sales markets for his products abroad. This will stimulate investment in the industry. In addition, Taras Vysotsky noted that the production of meat products with added value is also a contribution to the development of the economy and the provision of the Defense Forces. He also reminded that the Ukrainian agricultural sector occupies a large part of the state's economy and is one of the main export-generating industries in the state budget. The Ministry of Agriculture has prepared the Strategy for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas in Ukraine for the period until 2030, one of the tasks of which is to support domestic and global food security and increase the production of value-added products.

As for average consumers, it should be noted that the prices of pork and some types of lard in Ukraine soared during July. For example, according to the reports of a number of mass media, the price of pork breast rose to UAH 175 per kilogram.