Ukraine: Pork crisis gets worse

There have been parallel decreases by 6% in the total livestock number of pigs. And the trend continues to grow in the second quarte of 2012. At the end of April 2012 the number of pigs in all categories of farms in Ukraine fell by 9.9% compared to the level of the previous year to 7.214 millions heads.

The most noticeable decrease has been registered in the number of pigs in the large pork production enterprises – by 11.8% to 3.014 million head. Also, during the second quarter there has been a further increase in the cost price of pork, which rose approximately by 7-10% depending on the region. Thus, taking into account the growth in the first quarter of the year, prices rose by 15-18% compare to the same level of 2011.

Earlier this year the cost of 1 kg of pork was 45 hryvnias (US$ 5.6), but now it has reached the mark of 70 hryvnias (US$ 8.7) per kg, and it is obvious that this is not the limit. At these prices, many Ukrainians cannot afford to buy pork. According to the head of the analytical department of agency “AAA” Maria Kolesnik soon the prices for pork on the national market will not fall.

However, she forecasted that the decrease in the number of livestock will soon stop, and the number of pigs at Ukraine farms will stabilise.