By KYIV. Dec 5 (Interfax-Ukraine) – In November 2023, Ukraine imported 677.7 tonnes of fresh, chilled and frozen pork worth $2.05 million, which is three times less than a month earlier and 41.4% lower than the same period in 2022, reported the association Pig Breeders of Ukraine.
According to the report, the decrease in import activity in the second half of autumn occurred against the backdrop of a seasonal decline in prices on the domestic market.
According to the industry association, average purchase prices reached their maximum in September, after which they weakened seasonally and in November were 16% below the September level. The average customs cost of imported pork increased by 17%: if in September its weighted average cost at customs was $2.58/kg, then in November this figure exceeded $3/kg. At the same time, the rise in price affected both raw meat of European origin and Canadian pork, the share of which in November was overwhelming – 55% of all November imports.
“An additional limitation on the supply of imported pork was logistics problems and increased transportation costs. However, according to importers, the decisive role in this case was played by the decrease in the economic attractiveness of imports against the backdrop of cheaper domestic raw materials,” experts note.
The total volume of pork imports for 11 months of 2023 amounted to 12,600 tonnes, which is 3.7 times less than for the same period in 2022.
Given this dynamics, the share of imported pork will correspond to 2% of total production and about 4% of industrial production, the industry association predicts.
