The number of cattle in Ukraine continues to decline

In 2016 the profitability of livestock products in Ukraine fell significantly, having decreased almost two times in comparison with last year. The reason for this was too high prices for animal feed, cuts in state support and low consumer demand for products.

Thus, according to the State statistics service, as of December 1, 2016 the number of cattle in Ukraine amounted to 3941,4 thousand heads, which is 3.1% less than on the same date last year. The number of cows decreased by 3.9% to 2134,2 thousand heads. At the same time, the number of sheep and goats at the reporting date amounted to only 1456,8 thousand heads, which is 2.9% less than in 2015.

The number of pigs has decreased even more in the current year, by the beginning of December in Ukraine there were 7141,4 thousand heads, which is 5.5% less compared to 2015. Beside financial difficulties faced by the Ukrainian pig producers (loss of export markets, the unprofitability of pork production), 2016 year brought the massive spread of African swine fever, which further aggravated the situation. As it was reported by the State food and consumer service, as of December 2 more than 26.4 thousand pigs have been destroyed in Ukraine because of this disease.

One also notices decrease of the poultry population, which by December of the current year amounted to 213.2 million, which is 4.1% less than in December 2015. Along with a reduction in the number of birds production of eggs continues to decline. Thus, in January-November of 2016, Ukraine has produced 14.1 billion eggs, 10.3% less than the year before.

In January-November of the current year the volume of meat production in live weight was 2873,1 thousand tons, which is 0,6% more compared to the same period last year. The production of milk due to the massive slaughter of cows has decreased by 2.3% - up to 9738 thousand tons.

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