Beef and buffalo meat market Ukraine

Earlier Report Observations

Ukraine's beef and buffalo meat market experienced a significant contraction in physical volume from 318.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 237.8 thousand tons in 2023. This decline was driven by a long-term reduction in the cattle herd and high production costs, which curtailed domestic output. Further pressure came from lengthy investment payback periods for large-scale meat projects, discouraging new capacity. The onset of war in 2022 severely disrupted supply chains and logistics, accelerating the drop in production and exports. Despite the falling volume, the market's value in dollar terms initially grew until 2021, reaching 1.19 billion USD, largely due to rising prices spurred by supply constraints and later by wartime inflation.

Regulatory changes and shifts in trade patterns reshaped the market landscape. The entry of 15 certified Canadian beef suppliers in 2021 provided a new import source, responding to domestic production shortfalls. Wartime measures temporarily simplified labeling rules for imported food to ease supply, though these were later reversed. New requirements for geographical indications and quality schemes for meat products were introduced from late 2022, aiming to align with EU standards. Exports were hampered by a lack of international certification for BSE status, limiting access to the EU, and then fell sharply in 2022 due to trade restrictions and logistical hurdles from the conflict. State support programs and industry forums were launched to stabilize domestic supply and prices.

Recent developments point towards a focus on quality and export recovery. The legal protection for geographical indications established in 2023 and progress on obtaining BSE-free status aim to open premium export channels to the EU and Asia. Market evolution is also seen in the development of new segments like premium steaks and ready-to-eat meat products, catering to changing consumer preferences for quality and safety. Meanwhile, the market continues to be influenced by global beef market instability, affecting local pricing and export competitiveness.

Production beef and buffalo meat Ukraine

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Ukraine produced 345.4 thousand tonnes of beef and buffalo meat in 2020, which represents a 6.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 5%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 369.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 3.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat production in Ukraine increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The output was valued at 1 192 million US dollars, marking a 4.7% advance compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of production Ukraine in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat to Ukraine

Exports in kind, t

Beef and buffalo meat deliveries from Ukraine declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. The export volume stood at 24 495 tonnes, down by 36.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 41.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan—together accounted for 72.9% of Ukraine's total beef and buffalo meat exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Ukraine's beef and buffalo meat exports declined in value for the second consecutive year in 2020. The export volume reached 84.5 million US dollars, representing a steep decrease of 29.1% compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 28.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 124.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 6.0% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Ukraine in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Belarus (37.3% of exports in value terms), Kazakhstan (17.1%), and Azerbaijan (16.2%) played the leading roles in Ukraine's beef and buffalo meat exports, jointly accounting for 70.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports to Ukraine in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat in Ukraine

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 130 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 2 074 tonnes, representing a 1.8-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Ukraine's beef and buffalo meat imports grew by 83.6% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 17.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017-2020, Lithuania (44.4% of imports in volume terms), Poland (15.2%), and Belarus (9.4%) remained the key sources for Ukraine's beef and buffalo meat imports, together accounting for 68.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports in Ukraine in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2020, with a 2.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Ukraine's beef and buffalo meat import volume amounted to 9.0 million US dollars, corresponding to a sudden increase of 84.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 13.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Ukraine in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2017-2020, Lithuania (36.0% of imports in value terms), the United States (17.0%), and Poland (12.4%) formed the main cluster of markets for Ukraine's beef and buffalo meat imports, with a combined share of 65.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports in Ukraine in value, 2017-2020