export,
cattle,
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Ukraine reduced beef and cattle exports due to logistical obstacles
In April, Ukraine exported 3.6 thousand tons of live weight beef and cattle, which is 14.63% less than in March. In April, customers from China, Kazakhstan, and Georgia reduced imports of red meat from Ukraine. Jordan and Libya did not buy cattle. A negative role was played by disruptions in export supplies of agricultural products and food products due to logistical obstacles due to ill-considered political decisions in some European countries, — reports the analyst of the Association of Milk Producers Georgіі Kukhaleishvili.
According to preliminary data of the DSSU, in April, Ukraine exported only 1 ton of chilled beef worth 7.3 thousand dollars, which is significantly less than in March. Natural volumes of red meat exports decreased by 15.2 tons, and in money terms — by 52.6 thousand dollars. The goods were delivered to Greece, Moldova, Turkey and the Marshall Islands.
According to preliminary data of the DSSU, in April, Ukraine exported only 1 ton of chilled beef worth 7.3 thousand dollars, which is significantly less than in March. Natural volumes of red meat exports decreased by 15.2 tons, and in money terms — by 52.6 thousand dollars. The goods were delivered to Greece, Moldova, Turkey and the Marshall Islands.
The volume of deliveries of frozen beef to foreign markets also decreased. In April, Ukraine exported 1.76 thousand tons of products, which is 24.55% less than in March. Export revenue for this position amounted to 7.04 million dollars. and this is 21.62% less compared to the previous month. More than 95% of frozen beef exports were shipped to Azerbaijan, Georgia, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Moldova.
The volume of cattle exports by live weight amounted to 1.85 thousand tons for the amount of 2.69 million dollars. Compared to March, natural volumes of deliveries fell by 4.36%, and export revenue decreased by 5.87%. Animals were supplied to Egypt and Lebanon.
Georgіі Kukhaleishvili suggests that the likely reason for such a sharp reduction in beef supplies from Ukraine should be the introduction of temporary bans by the governments of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria on the import of domestic agricultural products and food during April 15−19. In Poland and Hungary, in addition to grain, the restrictions extended to cattle meat. After the full-scale invasion of Russia and the blockade of sea ports, Ukrainian exporters began to use these European countries as the main transit route for products to foreign markets. However, among local peasants there were fears that the lion's share of Ukrainian goods remain in their markets, compete with their products and contribute to lowering prices.
Farmers from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe insisted on introducing a ban on the import of products from Ukraine. In order to preserve the ratings among the inhabitants of the villages, the governments of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria went to meet local farmers and, in fact, cut off Ukraine from access to the markets of third countries. Parliamentary elections will be held in Poland and Slovakia in the fall, so the ruling parties of both countries decided not to disappoint the electorate. Thanks to the efforts of Ukrainian diplomacy and assistance from the EU, European non-governmental organizations and industry associations, such as the «Polish Dairy Chamber», the temporary bans were lifted at the beginning of May. However, even a few days of interruptions in export deliveries led to a significant reduction in beef exports.
Although, the demand for beef in foreign markets is quite active, since the barbecue season has just begun and will continue throughout the summer. The offer of red meat differs in different regions. In particular, in Ireland, due to heavy rains, the number of pastures decreased, which led to a decrease in the mass of animals that are prepared for slaughter and the supply of beef on the market. Active demand from China is expected this year. However, US consumers began to buy less meat due to inflation-driven price increases. This became one of the causes of losses for the American companies JBS and Tyson Foods. Beef is getting cheaper in Australia. There is too much supply of red meat on the country's market, which does not meet local demand.
The situation with imports is ambiguous. In April, Ukraine imported 6.7 tons of chilled beef worth 91.8 thousand dollars. Natural volumes of imports decreased by 27 tons, compared to March. Fresh red meat was supplied to Ukraine from Argentina and EU member states. But the volume of imports of frozen beef last month amounted to 1.97 thousand tons and increased by 57.48% compared to March. Meat consignments came from EU member states, including Lithuania. For the first time since the beginning of 2023, Ukraine imported cattle by live weight. Natural volumes of imports amounted to 35.5 thousand tons. Animals were supplied to Ukraine from Poland.
In April, the balance of foreign trade in beef and cattle was positive and amounted to 8.27 million dollars.
