Non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat market Ukraine

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for non-rendered pig fat in Ukraine underwent significant shifts. In 2018, active imports from EU countries, particularly Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands, supported a market volume of 103 155 t. By 2019, exports of lard increased fifteenfold, though imports remained substantial. The start of 2020 saw a 144% rise in domestic production of lard and pig fat, but the COVID-19 pandemic and African swine fever outbreaks began to strain supply chains and production costs.

From 2021 to 2022, the trend of optimizing pork production continued, including raising lighter pigs to reduce feed costs. Imports of pork and lard gradually decreased, while export markets expanded to MENA countries. However, the war in Ukraine from 2022 introduced logistical constraints that further curtailed imports and limited export opportunities.

In 2023 and 2024, import contraction persisted, with imports of lard and pig fat accounting for only a small fraction of domestic production. A 2‑5‑fold drop in feed component prices improved production efficiency, but war‑related logistics continued to hamper exports. Growth in shipments to the United Arab Emirates emerged as a new sales channel, while the share of imported products in domestic consumption fell below 2%.

Production non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat Ukraine

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine was one of the world's leading producers of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, ranking 19th globally by production volume.

Top producers of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, 2017-2020

In 2020, Ukraine produced 43.0 K t of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, marking a 1.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 4.5% reduction, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 0.8%.

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

Exports non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat to Ukraine

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2 t, then surged to a peak of 119 t in 2020, creating a 71-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat from Ukraine jumped by 161.0% compared to the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 94.7%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019, soaring by 2 629.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Ukraine's exports in kind were Vietnam, Azerbaijan, and Poland, which together accounted for 80.0% of total export flows.

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, K $ US

Market behavior during these years was marked by volatility. Export volumes hit their minimum in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with the highest value being 2.9 times greater than the lowest. In 2020, Ukraine's exports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat amounted to 98 K $ US, reflecting a sharp increase of 89.7% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 34 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 38.5%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the main buyers of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat from Ukraine in value terms were Vietnam (27.0% of exports), Azerbaijan (24.2%), and Kazakhstan (8.6%). Together, these three countries comprised 59.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in Ukraine

Imports in kind, t

Ukraine's imports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 35 640 t, down by 23.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 33.6%, with an average annual decline of 12.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 59 846 t, which also saw the largest increase of 11.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Poland and Germany dominated Ukraine's imports in kind, together accounting for 82.2% of the total. The remaining share was distributed among other destinations, each with smaller individual contributions.

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, K $ US

Ukraine's imports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in value terms fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 26 185 K $ US, a strong decline of 17.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 22.8%, with an average annual drop of 8.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 36 616 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland and Germany were the principal sources for Ukraine's imports in value terms, jointly taking 81.6% of total flows. Other partners each accounted for significantly smaller shares.

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

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