Ukraine Increases Pork Imports: $53 Million Worth of Meat Imported in 2025

In September 2025, the volumes of imported chilled and frozen pork (HS Code 0203) into Ukraine exceeded 6 thousand tons, which is 31% more than in August. This figure is the highest since January 2022.

This is reported by AgroReview

Reasons for the Increase in Pork Imports

According to analysts, the significant revival of external supplies in 2025 is due to a decrease in domestic pork supply and rising prices. During the second half of the year, the average monthly imports of pork from abroad reached the levels of 2022, although the record of 6.6 thousand tons, recorded in January 2022, has not yet been surpassed.

“Unlike last year, external supplies in 2025 have noticeably revived in response to weaker domestic pork supply and higher prices, and in the second half of the year, the average monthly imports of pork from abroad reached the figures of 2022. However, the record high of 6.6 thousand tons, recorded in January 2022, has not been exceeded by importers,” noted the Association of Agricultural Producers (ASU).

Among the main incentives for increasing imports, experts cite high prices for Ukrainian pork and the exhaustion of quotas for duty-free meat supplies from EU countries. This has encouraged market operators to increase purchases before prices rise due to the introduction of customs tariffs.

Import Volumes and Market Prospects

During the first nine months of 2025, Ukraine imported 20.8 thousand tons of chilled and frozen pork worth $53.2 million. Of this amount, only 142 tons came from Canada, while the rest came from EU countries. In the future, imports from Europe will be subject to import duties: 12% for chilled and 10% for frozen meat.

Some importers believe that the introduction of tariffs will not reduce supply volumes as long as it remains economically viable. Meanwhile, from July to September, European pork prices decreased by 6% due to seasonal changes, increased supply, and export difficulties, particularly after China imposed a 62% tariff on pork imports from the EU. This may partially offset the increase in import costs for Ukrainian operators.

Due to the reduction in domestic pork supply compared to 2024, the share of imports in the market structure will remain relatively low. If the pace of imports remains at the level of the third quarter, the annual import volume will not exceed 35 thousand tons, which will account for about 6% of the domestic pork supply. Most of the products on the market will continue to be provided by Ukrainian producers.

Higher domestic prices slowed down the export of Ukrainian pork in August and September; however, for the first nine months of the current year, the total export volume exceeded 2 thousand tons, which in monetary terms amounts to nearly $6.2 million. The main destinations remain Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Malaysia. At the same time, businesses and government agencies are working to open new markets, particularly in the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, and South Korea.