The first auction of 2025 ended with the strengthening of live pork prices: although some operators worked without changing prices, some were able to sell consignments at 0.5-2.5 UAH/kg more expensive than a week earlier. This correction allowed prices in all regions of the country to be adjusted to the range of 69-73 UAH/kg, but they were mostly in the upper half of the range. In particular, the weighted average market price remained at 72 UAH/kg (+2.4% compared to the previous week), while the deviation of regional averages did not exceed 0.2 UAH/kg.
The main factor influencing the market situation is the limited supply of pork. Thus, some operators have smaller batches to sell, as sales during the holiday period were quite active and left no carryover, and subsequent batches will take time to reach the usual slaughter conditions. For this reason, a number of operators have either temporarily reduced their live bait sales or paused. In addition, buyers from the East and Centre are feeling the effects of last year's ‘dropout’ of pork producers, which is leading to more active ‘migration’ of both live and pork between regions.
Expectations for further price dynamics are still largely unformed. On the one hand, sales have traditionally slowed down after the winter holidays, and on the other hand, there are reports of limited pork supply, which is likely to keep purchase prices high.
