Demand for beef cattle and beef is growing in Africa, Asia, and Latin America amid production cuts in Brazil, New Zealand, and Europe. Beef cattle prices are expected to rise through the end of 2025, according to Georghii Kukhaleishvili, an analyst at the Association of Milk Producers.
According to preliminary data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine (SSSU), in April 2025, Ukraine exported approximately 1.88 thousand tonnes of live beef cattle, which is 24% less than in March 2025, but 164% more than in April 2024. Revenue from exported animals amounted to USD 5.43 million, which is 9% more than in March 2025 and 357% more than in April 2024. In January-April 2025, Ukraine exported 7.09 thousand tonnes of live beef cattle (+120%) worth USD 15.96 million (+186%).
In January-April 2025, Ukraine shipped 44.9 tonnes of chilled beef (-93%) to foreign markets for a sum of USD 270.1 thousand (-93%) compared to the previous year.
Natural volumes of frozen beef exports from Ukraine in April 2025 amounted to 1.81 thousand tonnes, which is 20% more than in March of this year and 44% more than in April 2024. Revenue from the supplied goods amounted to almost USD 7.17 million, which is 27% more than in March 2025 and 35% more than in April 2024. In January-April 2025, Ukraine exported 6.05 thousand tonnes of frozen beef (+18%) worth USD 22.92 million (+4%).
Georghii Kukhaleishvili notes that demand for beef cattle is growing in foreign markets, which encourages Ukrainian farmers to export animals amid falling raw milk prices in Ukraine. According to WASDE, active demand and higher beef cattle prices are expected through the end of 2025. According to RaboResearch forecasts, a 3% reduction in global beef production is expected in 2025 compared to 2024. A factor in the decline in beef production may be the reduction in red meat supplies from Brazil and New Zealand. According to AHDB, a decrease in beef supplies in Europe is forecast. Red meat production has decreased or remained the same in Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
According to USMEF CEO Dan Halstrom, tariffs imposed by China in response to US protectionist measures may affect exports in April and May. The American industry is diversifying its red meat sales markets. Demand for beef has been active in Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Central America, and Taiwan. The EU has increased its red meat supplies to Algeria and Turkey.
In April 2025, Ukraine did not import live beef cattle. Volumes of chilled beef imports decreased to 15.6 tonnes (-1%), and frozen beef imports increased to 202.2 tonnes (+17%) compared to March 2025. Volumes of chilled beef imports increased by 64%, and volumes of frozen beef imports decreased by 27% compared to April 2024. In January-April 2025, Ukraine reduced imports of live beef cattle to 7 tonnes (-97%), but increased imports of chilled beef to 49.6 tonnes (+24%) and reduced imports of frozen beef to 567.2 tonnes (-35%) compared to the same period last year.
The foreign trade balance in April 2025 was positive and amounted to USD 10.57 million.
Press Service of the Association of Milk Producers
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