The total supply of chilled and frozen pig meat in March 2023 from the EU was almost 67% lower than last year, falling to 503 tonnes, the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders has reported.
In monetary terms, Ukraine imported $949,000 worth of pork in March, the data of the State Customs Service was cited by the industry association.
According to its analysts, this is the lowest monthly figure since 2018.
“During March, the average price of pork by slaughter weight in the EU was about $2.54/kg. The price of pork imported to Ukraine fell to $1.88/kg, which is 5.7% lower than in February this year,” the association said, explaining the decline in import activity by higher prices in EU countries compared to prices for domestic products.
“Even the absence of import duties has not made European pork more price-competitive compared to domestic pork. As long as this status quo persists, external supplies of pig meat will remain inactive,” the industry association predicted.
In general, in the first quarter of 2023, pork imports amounted to 3,160 tonnes, which is more than 75% less than in the first quarter of 2022, the analysts said.
