According to the results of January, external receipts of chilled and frozen pig meat exceeded the total imports for the fourth quarter of 2024, the analytical department of the AUPB reports:
‘During the first month of the year, Ukraine imported about 323 tonnes of pork, which is more than twice the total volume of products imported in October-December last year, as well as in January 2024. Although there has been a revival in import activity, the import flow is not so active as to significantly affect the domestic market,’ the industry association explains.
The increased interest of Ukrainian meat market players in imported raw materials has led to an increase in domestic pork prices:
‘The average purchase price of slaughterhouse pigs in January increased by 5.5% compared to December, which is an atypical price behaviour for the winter period, as it was the market's response to a decrease in domestic supply. European pork prices, on the other hand, continued their typical seasonal decline. Therefore, although the average customs value per kilogram of imported pork was higher than it was last year (USD 2.84 versus USD 2.52/kg excluding VAT on average in 2024), a number of meat processing companies took the opportunity to optimise their raw material costs. Although imports of pork have historically played a role as a lever to influence domestic prices, its volumes do not currently put pressure on quotations, as most meat processors do not currently experience an inflow of imported raw materials,’ analysts comment.
Exports of pig meat in January were slightly lower than imports, totalling 295 tonnes. In addition to the main sales markets (UAE, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Liberia), pork supplies to Georgia resumed at the beginning of the year.
