Despite a slight decrease in global beef prices in June, global demand remains high.
According to preliminary data from the State Customs Service, in June 2026 Ukraine exported about 1.52 thousand tons of live cattle, which is 25% less relative to May 2026, but 25% more relative to June 2025. Monetary revenue for exported animals stood at 3.68 million USD, which is 29% less relative to May 2026 and 33% less relative to June 2025. In January–June 2026, Ukraine exported 10.84 thousand tons (+11.5%) of live cattle for the amount of 24.63 million USD (+15%).
In June 2026, Ukrainian exporters delivered 445 tons of fresh or chilled beef to foreign markets, which is 2% more relative to May and substantially more relative to June 2025. Export revenue for the delivered commodity stood at 3.67 million USD, which is 7% more relative to May, but much more relative to June 2025. In January–June 2026, Ukraine exported 2.22 thousand tons of fresh beef for the amount of 17.66 million USD. Ukraine increased physical export volumes of fresh beef almost 33 times, and monetary revenue almost 41 times compared to last year's period.
Physical export volumes of frozen beef from Ukraine in June 2026 stood at 1.71 thousand tons, which is 6% less relative to May 2026, but 6% more relative to June 2025. Monetary revenue for the delivered commodity stood at almost 7.75 million USD, which is 4% less relative to May 2026, but 47% less relative to June 2025. In January–June 2026, Ukraine exported 9.23 thousand tons (-4%) of frozen beef for the amount of 41.78 million USD (+11%).
According to FAO data, beef prices slightly decreased in June, mainly due to lower quotations in Australia ahead of the expected increase in export shipments in the third quarter. According to Rabobank data, in Australia prices for heavy bulls and cows exceeded the highs of the last ten years. The export market remains strong, although some uncertainty persists regarding the impact of Chinese import quotas. In New Zealand, procurement prices for beef remain high on farms. Supply is gradually increasing, but export volumes are growing rapidly. At the same time, strong global demand, especially from the US, supports the profitability of New Zealand producers and provides positive prospects for the winter period.
As FAO reports, export prices for Brazilian beef generally remained stable, as China's import quotas approached full exhaustion, which led to a slowdown in the pace of purchases. Currently, there are 86.2 million head of cattle in the US, which is the lowest indicator in the last 75 years. The cattle herd in the US declined sharply, which led to higher beef prices. Imports failed to solve the problem. Since 2021, beef import volumes into the US grew by 86%, but during the same period beef prices increased by 56%.
The US also lost a significant portion of its farming base. In 2022, there were 732 thousand cattle ranches in the country, which is 17% less than in 2017. Overall, since 1997 the US lost over 450 thousand such holdings. The livestock industry is not highly profitable. In 2024, 71% of farms and ranches operated with an operating margin of less than 10%. About 75% of the beef cow herd in the US is located in areas suffering from drought. The spread of the New World screwworm disrupted the supply of live cattle from Mexico.
Cattle slaughter in Ireland also declined by more than 18% year-on-year. The herd decreased by more than 30 thousand head, according to new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The decline is linked to large export volumes in previous years and changes in the production structure. Meat processing plants are experiencing a shortage of live cattle, which affects capacity utilization. It is expected that the supply of live cattle will remain relatively limited in the future, so the market may remain tight.
In June 2026, Ukraine reduced live cattle imports to 28 tons relative to May. Import volumes of chilled beef stood at 13 tons and did not change over the last month. Imports of frozen beef decreased to 115 tons (-14%) relative to the previous month. Relative to June 2025, physical import volumes of live cattle decreased by 89%, chilled beef – by 11%, and frozen beef – by 23%.
The foreign trade balance in June 2026 was positive and stood at 13.42 million USD.
Press service of the Association of Milk Producers
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