Further Price Increases for Pork Expected in Ukraine Due to Supply Shortage
Ukraine is experiencing a significant rise in pork prices, linked to a reduction in the pig population and a supply shortage in the domestic market. According to analyst Maksym Hopka from the Ukrainian Club of Agricultural Business (UCAB), pork prices have increased by 34% since the beginning of the year and by 60% over the past year. The main reason cited by the expert is the decrease in the number of pigs during the winter to 4.5 million heads, which has had the most impact on household farms.
This is reported by AgroReview
Increase in Pork Imports Amid Rising Prices
As a result of the supply shortage, prices for live weight of bacon-type pigs reached 98–100 UAH/kg in September 2025, depending on the region. This has stimulated meat imports: in August 2025, Ukraine imported 4,600 tons of pork, which is 48% more than in July. Overall, for the first eight months of 2025, imports totaled 14,900 tons – 7.8 times more than in the same period last year. According to experts, this is the highest figure since 2022.
“All of this has stimulated imports. In August 2025 alone, 4,600 tons of meat were imported, which is 48% more than in July. In total, for the first eight months of this year, imports amounted to 14,900 tons – 7.8 times more than in the same period of 2024. This is the highest figure since 2022,” noted Hopka.
Analysts’ forecasts indicate that by the end of 2025, procurement volumes could reach at least 25,000 tons, with the majority of supplies expected in the second half of the year.
Impact of the European Market and Prospects for Production Recovery
At the same time, there is a trend in EU countries towards a decrease in the price of live pork, making the European market attractive for Ukrainian purchases. Thus, imports have become an alternative source of raw materials for the domestic market.
“It is likely that a reduction in imports will only be possible through a gradual increase in the pig population, which will eventually affect domestic procurement prices,” believes Hopka.
According to the State Statistics Service, as of September 1, 2025, there were 4.8 million pigs in Ukraine, which is 5% less than in September 2024, but 7% more than in January of this year. Despite an increase of 330,000 heads over the past eight months, the market supply of pork remains limited. The recovery of the pig population is primarily occurring in the enterprise sector, which currently holds 65% of all pigs in the country.