Since the beginning of 2025, Ukraine has shipped the largest volumes of cattle to Lebanon, and the largest batches of beef to China and Azerbaijan, reports Georghii Kukhaleishvili, an analyst at the Association of Milk Producers. According to preliminary data from the SSSU, in August 2025, Ukraine exported approximately 1.01 thousand tonnes of live cattle, which is 49% less than in July 2025 but 35% more than in August 2024.
The revenue from exported live animals was $2.78 million, down 34% from July 2025 but up 6% from August 2024. From January to August 2025, Ukraine exported 12.72 thousand tonnes of live cattle (+52%), valued at $28.43 million (+92%).
In August 2025, Ukrainian exporters supplied 19 tonnes of fresh or chilled beef to foreign markets, a 46% decrease from July but a 20-fold increase compared to August 2024. Revenue for the product was $105 thousand, down 36% from July 2025 but 20 times more than in August 2024. From January to August 2025, Ukraine shipped 120 tonnes of chilled beef (-86%), valued at $692 thousand (-88%).
The export volume of frozen beef from Ukraine in August 2025 was 1.35 thousand tonnes, down 20% from July but 14% less than in August 2024. Revenue for this product was almost $6.19 million, down 18% from July 2025 but up 7% from August 2024. From January to August 2025, Ukraine exported 12.63 thousand tonnes of frozen beef (+15%), valued at $51.33 million (+15%).
Georghii Kukhaleishvili suggests several reasons for the decrease in cattle and red meat exports from Ukraine in August compared to July. One reason is the increase in logistics costs after Turkey raised tariffs for passage through the Bosphorus. Competition from Latin American countries has also increased, and beef consumption in Muslim countries seasonally decreased.
Despite these factors, Ukraine has managed to increase its shipment volumes since the beginning of the year, taking advantage of high prices in export markets. From January to August 2025, Ukraine shipped the largest volumes of frozen beef to China ($15.77 million), followed by Azerbaijan ($14.77 million), and Uzbekistan ($9.27 million). The largest market for Ukrainian live cattle from January to August 2025 was Lebanon ($24.74 million), with cows also supplied to Libya ($2.21 million), Kazakhstan ($1.17 million), and Uzbekistan ($303 thousand).
Although prices for the product in export markets are high and the supply of meat is limited, according to AuctionsPlus, the key factor for the growth of red meat exports from Australia in August was demand in North Asia. As reported by the Iowa Farm Bureau, China remains the world's largest beef importer, primarily sourcing it from Brazil and Argentina.
In the US, the cattle herd has shrunk to a historic low since 1961 due to rising production costs for farmers and drought. According to Yaseen Smiley, President of the Board of the food company Hormel Foods Corp., beef prices have hit record highs due to the reduced supply. Despite Mexico being a key supplier of red meat to the US, Americans were forced to impose an import ban to prevent the spread of a dangerous parasite outbreak—the New World screwworm fly.
Demand for beef seasonally increases in the UK and Ireland with the start of the school year and preparations for the winter holidays, but the cattle population is decreasing. However, British farmers feel pressure from the increased supply of Australian beef after Brexit, which costs less than their product. According to MSN, Australia supplies over 35 thousand tonnes of beef to Britain duty-free each year.
In August 2025, Ukraine imported 18 tonnes of live cattle, a 93% decrease from July 2025 and a 66% decrease from August 2024. Imports of chilled beef increased to 15 tonnes (+50%), while frozen beef imports decreased to 61 tonnes (-50%) compared to July 2025. Compared to August 2024, chilled beef imports decreased by 66%, and frozen beef imports by 11%. From January to August 2025, Ukraine increased live cattle imports to 512 tonnes (+23%) and chilled beef imports to 95 tonnes (+6%), while reducing frozen beef imports to 1 thousand tonnes (-41%) compared to the same period last year.
The trade balance in August 2025 was positive, amounting to $7.99 million.
Press Service of the Association of Milk Producers
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