In July 2025, pork imports to Ukraine showed record growth: the volumes of this product increased by 75% compared to the previous month, reaching levels seen at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The main factors were the rising prices of Ukrainian pork and the decreasing prices of meat abroad, which led to minimal price differences between domestic and imported products.
This is reported by Finway
Rapid Growth of Imports and Supplier Geography
According to analysts from the “Pork Producers of Ukraine” association, approximately 3,100 tons of chilled and frozen pork were imported into the country in July. This is 75% more than in June and corresponds to the highest figures in recent years. Such activity in the import market was last observed in 2022.
Experts cite the continued increase in prices for Ukrainian pork and a simultaneous decrease in prices for foreign products as reasons. In July, the average price for a live pig of slaughter condition was UAH 94.68/kg including VAT (about $2.27 per kilogram), which is 2% higher than in June. In EU countries, due to hot weather, the demand for pork decreased, leading to a drop in prices—the import price for a kilogram of pork in July was $2.48, while in June it was $2.68.
“In July, the seasonal reduction in supply coincided with an overall decrease in pork production, so the average price for live pigs of slaughter condition was UAH 94.68/kg including VAT or $2.27 in currency equivalent, which is 2% higher than in June. Meanwhile, at the beginning of July, the intensification of heat somewhat weakened consumer appetites in the EU market, so many countries in the Commonwealth noted a decrease in pork prices. This was reflected in import prices, which in July were 8% lower than the previous month: the customs value of a kilogram of imported pork was $2.48 compared to $2.68 in June,” noted analysts from the ASU.
The main suppliers of pork remain EU countries: Denmark, Poland, France, and Spain. Meanwhile, in July, for the first time since November last year, pork imports from Canada were resumed, although in small volumes.
Exports and Domestic Market Balance
Overall, since the beginning of the year, Ukraine has imported 10,270 tons of pork, which is 4.5 times higher than the total for the previous year. The value of this product in monetary terms amounts to $25.8 million, which is also higher than last year’s result.
At the same time, in July, the export of Ukrainian pork amounted to 246 tons worth $808,000. In total, in the first seven months of 2025, Ukrainian suppliers exported 1,800 tons of pork worth $5.3 million. This is 10% more in physical terms and 32% more in currency revenues compared to the same period last year. The main importing countries of Ukrainian pork remain Hong Kong, UAE, Bahrain, and Malaysia.
Despite the record imports, analysts emphasize that such volumes do not have a significant impact on the overall price situation in the market. The rise in the cost of domestic products against the backdrop of lower prices for imported pork encourages meat processors and retail chains to partially shift towards more affordable raw materials.