Ukraine: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in Ukraine

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in the Ukrainian beef market, when its value decreased by -5.5% to $X. Overall, consumption showed a perceptible slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the market value increased by 6.8% against the previous year. Beef consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Beef Production in Ukraine

In value terms, beef production dropped slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 15%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of beef (cattle meat) in Ukraine reduced modestly to X kg per head in 2021, standing approx. at 2020. In general, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 9.3%. The beef yield peaked at X kg per head in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

In 2021, the number of animals slaughtered for beef production in Ukraine reduced to X heads, with a decrease of -9.6% compared with 2020. Over the period under review, the number of producing animals recorded a pronounced slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 11%. The number of animals slaughtered for beef production peaked at X heads in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, producing animals stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Beef Exports

Exports from Ukraine

In 2021, overseas shipments of beef (cattle meat) increased by 12% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports posted a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 49%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -10.7% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 43% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for beef exports from Ukraine, with a 42% share of total exports. Moreover, beef exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Russia (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Belarus (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China stood at +286.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Russia (-11.5% per year) and Belarus (+46.5% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for beef (cattle meat) exports from Ukraine, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belarus ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Kazakhstan, with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China totaled +260.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belarus (+45.6% per year) and Kazakhstan (+6.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 17% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 19% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Uzbekistan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Uzbekistan (+13.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Beef Imports

Imports into Ukraine

Beef imports into Ukraine skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, growing by 34% against the previous year. In general, imports, however, recorded a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 82%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, beef imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 85%. Imports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Austria (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of beef to Ukraine, with a 42% share of total imports. Moreover, beef imports from Austria exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Lithuania (X tons), twofold. Denmark (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Austria stood at +177.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Lithuania (+28.4% per year) and Denmark (-4.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest beef suppliers to Ukraine were Austria ($X), the United States ($X) and Lithuania ($X), together comprising 62% of total imports.

Austria, with a CAGR of +175.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 18% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, beef import price increased by +77.8% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Denmark ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+30.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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