In July 2025, Ukraine significantly increased its pork imports, both chilled and frozen. Over the month, approximately 3,100 tons of this meat were imported into the country, which is 75% more than in June. The last time such a high level of import activity was recorded was back in 2022. The majority of imported pork comes from European Union countries.
This is reported by Finway
Reasons for the Increase in Imports and Its Impact on Product Quality
According to the “Pork Producers of Ukraine” Association, the heightened interest of the Ukrainian market in imported pork is due to several factors. In particular, there is a noticeable increase in prices for local products in Ukraine, while prices for foreign pork have decreased.
Additionally, seasonal reductions in supply coincided with a general decrease in pork production. At the beginning of July, the heat in EU countries led to a decrease in demand, resulting in falling meat prices. This also affected import prices, which were 8% lower in July than the previous month.
“The seasonal reduction in supply coincided with a general decrease in pork production. At the beginning of July, the intensification of heat weakened consumer appetites in the EU market, leading to price declines for pork in many Commonwealth countries. This also impacted import prices, which were 8% lower in July than the previous month,” the report states.
Despite the increase in import volumes, pork prices in Ukraine have not changed significantly so far. However, analysts note a deterioration in product quality in certain retail chains. This is attributed to the seasonal rise in local raw material prices, which prompted some meat processing enterprises and retailers to focus on cheaper imported meat products.
How Much Pork Costs in Ukrainian Supermarkets
According to “Minfin” data, in August 2025, the average price for pork belly in large supermarkets in Ukraine is 216.45 UAH per kilogram, which is almost 2 UAH higher than in July. The price of belly varies from 204 to 238 UAH/kg depending on the chain:
- Metro: 207.9 UAH/kg
- Novus: 204 UAH/kg
- Auchan: 215.89 UAH/kg
- Megamarket: 238 UAH/kg
Pork shoulder is sold at an average price of 239 UAH/kg, which is over 7 UAH more than in July. Prices across the chains are as follows:
- Novus: 229 UAH/kg
- Metro: 239.9 UAH/kg
- Megamarket: 248.1 UAH/kg
Pork neck costs an average of 353.87 UAH/kg, which exceeds the July price by more than 25 UAH. The prices in various supermarkets are as follows:
- Novus: 349 UAH/kg
- Metro: 353.5 UAH/kg
- Megamarket: 359.1 UAH/kg