Prices for Lard in Ukraine Exceed 200 Hryvnias: Reasons for the Price Increase
Ukrainian lard, once considered one of the affordable products for every family, has now become a true luxury. A price tag exceeding 200 hryvnias per kilogram is no longer an exception, but a new reality for consumers in December 2025.
This is reported by AgroReview
Price Dynamics and Decrease in Pig Population
Official statistics for October show a significant price increase: while in September the average price for lard was 194 hryvnias per kilogram, in October it rose to 207 hryvnias. Compared to the same period last year, the product has increased in price by almost 25%, as in 2024 the price was 164 hryvnias. Now, the 200 hryvnia mark has been confidently surpassed.
“Ukraine has lost about 40% of its pig population. This is not a mistake in the figures; it is a reality. The war plus African swine fever have taken their toll.”
This situation is also explained by private suppliers. According to them, the significant decrease in the number of pigs is related to military actions and the spread of African swine fever. As of December, the price remains stable, but there are no reasons for it to decrease.
Farmers’ Expenses and Issues with Industrial Complexes
The costs of raising pigs for small farmers have increased to the point where traditional household farming no longer yields a profit. Farmers are forced to spend money on purchasing piglets, transportation, fuel, veterinary certificates, paying taxes, and organizing slaughter. As a result, more and more people are giving up raising pigs even for their own needs, let alone selling them on the market.
Industrial pig farms focus on rapid weight gain for meat production rather than lard. The average live weight of pigs on farms is 120-130 kg, but only about 20 kg of lard can be obtained from them, and the thickness of the lard often does not exceed 1.5-2 cm. Traditionally, Ukrainians prefer thick lard of 3-4 cm, which requires raising the pig for a longer period—up to a year. However, this is economically unfeasible for industrial players.
Price and Shortage Forecasts
Winter power supply interruptions could potentially raise the price of lard even further—by 10-15%. Due to the need for additional heating, farmers incur extra costs. Some premium varieties of lard already cost 600-700 hryvnias per kilogram. Even with nearly a 30% increase in lard imports over the past ten months, the situation is not improving, as most European suppliers view lard only as a product for processing rather than for consumption in its traditional form.
Thus, genuine Ukrainian lard has become a scarce product. Families are forced to carefully plan their purchases ahead of the New Year holidays, as this product is increasingly turning into a delicacy. Experts do not predict quick improvements in the near future.