In 2025, Ukraine increased its exports of cattle and beef against the backdrop of a global red meat shortage and rising prices in export markets, reports Georghii Kukhaleishvilii, analyst at the Association of Milk Producers.
According to preliminary data from the State Customs Service, in December 2025, Ukraine exported approximately 1.48 thousand tonnes of live cattle, which is 38% less compared to November 2025 and 63% less compared to December 2024. Monetary revenue for the exported animals amounted to $3.39 million, down 38% from November 2025 and 61% from December 2024. In January–December 2025, Ukraine exported 18.82 thousand tonnes of live cattle (+4%) totaling $43.48 million (+23%).
In December 2025, Ukrainian exporters supplied 431 tonnes of fresh or chilled beef to foreign markets, which is 5% more than in November of the current year and significantly more than in November 2024 (when only 1 tonne was exported). Export revenue for the supplied goods was $3.42 million, up 5% from November 2025 and much higher than in November 2024 (when the export volume was valued at $11 thousand). In January–December 2025, Ukraine shipped 1.31 thousand tonnes of chilled beef (+48%) to foreign markets for a total of $9.87 million (+77%).
The physical volume of frozen beef exports from Ukraine in December 2025 amounted to 1.46 thousand tonnes, which is 10% less than in November of the current year and 19% less than in December 2024. Monetary revenue for the supplied goods was nearly $6.91 million, down 12% from November 2025 but 5% more than in December 2024. In January–December 2025, Ukraine exported 18.41 thousand tonnes of frozen beef (-1%) totaling $78.76 million (+7%).
Georghii Kukiashvili notes that despite the slowdown in export volumes in December due to decreased market activity during the New Year holidays, Ukraine overall increased its export revenue for cattle and beef in 2025 amid the global shortage and rising red meat prices. According to the European Commission, there is a limited supply of goods on the global beef market, while consistently high demand is supported by record volumes of world trade. Brazil remains the largest exporter of beef, followed by Australia, while the main importers are China and the USA. The European Commission reports that South American and Oceanian countries are strengthening their competitive advantage compared to Northern Hemisphere producers.
According to European Commission data, despite the global beef deficit, imports to the EU are growing from all key directions, including the USA, Great Britain, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. The EU is likely to remain an attractive market for beef sales due to high prices. At the same time, according to the AHDB forecast, beef exports from the EU will decline annually until 2035 due to decreasing domestic production and increasing price competition in global markets.
According to the British Meat Processors Association, the current reduction in global beef supply is structural in nature, and new forecasts from AHDB, Rabobank, and industry analysts indicate that the period of global beef oversupply is ending. Rabobank notes that the decline in red meat production will continue in key exporting countries, particularly the USA and New Zealand, while Australia will only partially compensate for this decline. According to AHDB, global demand for beef will grow, especially from China, Asian countries, the Middle East, and Africa. As the British Meat Processors Association points out, this has already led to a rise in global cattle prices, and they are likely to remain high in the coming years.
In December 2025, Ukraine imported 14 tonnes of cattle, which is 85% less than in November. Import volumes of chilled beef decreased to 13 tonnes (-77%), and frozen beef to 98 tonnes (-2%) compared to the previous month. Compared to December 2024, the physical volume of cattle imports increased by 85%, chilled beef fell by 25%, and frozen beef decreased by 52%. In January–December 2025, Ukraine increased imports of live cattle to 659 tonnes (+38%) and chilled beef to 189 tonnes (+23%), but reduced imports of frozen beef to 1.36 thousand tonnes (-47%) relative to the previous year.
The foreign trade balance in December 2025 was positive and amounted to $12.55 million.
Press Service of the Association of Milk Producers
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