Between January and August of last year, the average retail price for a kilogram of chilled pork in national supermarket chains was below UAH 200/kg, only crossing that threshold in the fall. In 2025, prices continued to rise, staying above UAH 250/kg for the last three months. In June, the average retail price reached UAH 253.2/kg, nearly a third higher than the same month in 2024 (UAH 191.9/kg). This significant price increase is largely driven by rising procurement prices for industrially produced pork, according to the AUPB analytics department.
“Last year, a larger supply of pork amid a shrinking pork market led to a dramatic drop in prices for slaughter pigs. In summer 2024, procurement prices dropped to levels last seen in 2022 — between UAH 52–60/kg. However, in the first half of this summer, prices hovered between UAH 92.5–93.5/kg and have been growing since mid-season. These changes are due to a significant decline in domestic pork production — down an estimated 11% overall in January–May and more than 15% among industrial producers, who supply over 55% of the pork on the market,” analysts note.
The reduction in pork production by agricultural enterprises is explained by a noticeable decline in the pig population. In addition to the long-term contraction of backyard pig farming, the number of pigs in industrial farms also dropped due to overlapping military, economic, and epizootic factors. Some producers could not withstand critically low procurement prices coupled with rising production costs, particularly for feed. Others were lost due to the escalation of fighting in eastern Ukraine or forced out of the market by outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF).
“Rising prices — both at the farm gate and in retail — reflect not only the overall decline in pork supply but also seasonal fluctuations. In recent weeks, some meat processors have reported a further reduction in the availability of slaughter pigs, due to either a lower number of market-ready animals or reduced average live weights. Producers note that high temperatures are slowing weight gain, forcing them to reduce batch sizes or delay sales. These are typical seasonal supply fluctuations, but this year they are amplifying an already limited pig supply,” AUPB explains.
At the same time, pork prices are now making up for being lower last year, especially compared to the continuous rise in prices for other food products:
“Pork is not the only meat becoming more expensive. At the end of the first half of the year, the price of chilled chicken was nearly 30% higher than a year ago, and chicken fillets now cost as much as some chilled pork cuts — like shoulder, ham, brisket, or stew,” analysts add.
The Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders is a non-profit, voluntary organization founded by domestic pork producers. Its main goals are to represent and protect the rights and interests of member farms, promote the development and implementation of new technologies for efficient pork production, expand market opportunities, and protect the domestic pork market.