In August 2026, Ukrainian exporters increased exports of fresh or chilled beef nearly 25-fold compared to August 2025—to 474 metric tons, while exports of frozen beef rose by 34.2%, to 1,820 metric tons, according to the Milk Producers Association, citing preliminary data from the State Customs Service.
Export revenue from shipments of fresh or chilled beef in August increased 37-fold year-over-year—to $3.95 million—and rose by 44% compared to July. In volume terms, exports increased by 38% compared to the previous month.
In January–August 2026, Ukraine exported 3.04 thousand metric tons of fresh or chilled beef worth $24.36 million. Compared to the same period in 2025, export volumes increased 25-fold, and revenue rose nearly 34-fold.
Exports of frozen beef in August totaled 1.82 thousand metric tons, which is 8% more than in July and 34.2% more than in August 2025. Export revenue from frozen beef rose by 7% compared to July and by 32% compared to August of last year, reaching $8.16 million.
Over the first eight months, Ukraine exported 12,750 metric tons of frozen beef (+1%) worth $57.56 million (+12%).
Exports of live cattle in August totaled approximately 1.32 thousand metric tons, which is 1% more than in July and 31% more than in August 2025. At the same time, revenue from cattle exports fell by 11% compared to July but rose by 30% compared to August 2025, reaching $3.62 million.
In January–August, Ukraine exported 13,470 metric tons of live cattle (+5.9%) worth $32.31 million (+14%).
As for imports, Ukraine did not import any cattle in August. Imports of chilled beef totaled 9 metric tons, which is 40% less than in July 2026 and 40% less than in August 2025. Imports of frozen beef totaled 84 metric tons, down 32% from July but up 38% from August of last year.
In the first eight months of 2026, imports of cattle fell to 93 metric tons (-82%), and imports of frozen beef fell to 754 metric tons (-25%), while imports of chilled beef rose to 99 metric tons (+4%).
The trade balance for these commodity lines in August 2026 was positive, amounting to $14.95 million.
The association also notes that the global beef market is entering a period of declining supply and restructuring of trade flows. According to Rabobank’s estimates, global beef production in 2026 could decline by nearly 2%.
