Ukraine increased its exports of cattle and beef in July amid limited supply in export markets and rising prices for both red meat and live animals, reports Georghii Kukhaleishvili, an analyst at the Association of Milk Producers.
According to preliminary data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine (SSSU), in July 2025, Ukraine exported about 1.98 thousand tonnes of live cattle, which is 62% more than in June 2025 and 14% more than in July 2024.
The revenue from exported animals amounted to $4.19 million, which is 24% less than in June 2025 but 32% more than in July 2024. From January to July 2025, Ukraine exported 11.71 thousand tonnes of live cattle (+72%) for a total of $25.65 million (+111%).
In July 2025, Ukrainian exporters supplied 35 tonnes of fresh or chilled beef to foreign markets, which is 70 times more than in June of the current year and 50 times more than in July 2024. Export revenue for the supplied product was $165 thousand, which is 9% more than in June 2025 and 20 times more than in July 2024. From January to July 2025, Ukraine shipped 101 tonnes of chilled beef (-89%) to foreign markets for $587 thousand (-89%).
The volume of frozen beef exports from Ukraine in July 2025 was 1.68 thousand tonnes, which is 4% more than in June of the current year but 1% less than in July 2024. The revenue for the supplied product was almost $7.56 million, which is 48% less than in June 2025 and 9% less than in July 2024. From January to July 2025, Ukraine exported 11.27 thousand tonnes of frozen beef (+21%) for a total of $45.14 million (+17%).
Georghii Kukhaleishvili notes that the increase in Ukraine's July shipments of live cattle and beef is fully in line with the situation on the global market. The supply of cows and red meat in the world market is decreasing. According to AHDB, prices for both live animals and beef are rising in export markets, and red meat suppliers like Brazil and Australia are using their competitive prices to meet demand from the US and China. From May to March 2025, the UK increased its beef imports by approximately 10% monthly, as local processors sought products abroad to compensate for the domestic market deficit and high on-farm prices.
In July 2025, Ukraine imported 242 tonnes of live cattle, which is 1% less than in June 2025 but 125% more than in July 2024. Imports of chilled beef decreased to 10 tonnes (-30%), and frozen beef imports decreased to 123 tonnes (-17%) compared to June 2025. Chilled beef imports decreased by 20%, and frozen beef imports decreased by 39% compared to July 2024. From January to July 2025, Ukraine increased imports of live cattle to 494 tonnes (+36%) and chilled beef to 80 tonnes (+10%), and decreased imports of frozen beef to 941 tonnes (-36%) compared to the previous year.
The trade balance in July 2025 was positive, amounting to $8.81 million.
Press service of the Association of Milk Producers
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