Market and Security Factors Are Changing the Structure of Ukraine’s Livestock Sector

This was reported by the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB).

The volume of agricultural animals sold for slaughter in Ukraine reached 1,509.9 thousand tonnes: agricultural enterprises accounted for 83% of total meat production — 1,249.4 thousand tonnes, while households accounted for 17% — 260.5 thousand tonnes. Domestic meat production is primarily represented by poultry meat (64%), pork (28%), and beef and veal (8%).

UCAB also outlined the key trends in Ukraine’s livestock sector over the first nine months of 2026:

• Decline in pig numbers. The total pig population stands at 4.64 million head, which is 4% lower than in the same period last year. At the same time, commercial enterprises increased their pig numbers by 7.5–8% to 3.37 million head, while households recorded a 25% decline to 1.26 million head. In the structure of pork production, enterprises account for 65.9%, while the private sector accounts for 34.1%.
• Moderate growth in poultry farming. Poultry numbers increased by 1% to 216.52 million head. Agricultural enterprises increased their poultry numbers by 6% to 120.04 million head, while households recorded a 5% decline to 96.48 million head. The commercial sector accounts for 94.8% of total poultry meat production in Ukraine.
• Significant decline in cattle numbers. The total cattle population decreased by 18% to 1.74 million head. The main decline occurred in households, where cattle numbers fell by 35% to 779.1 thousand head. In contrast, enterprises recorded a 3% increase to 961.4 thousand head, including a 2.6% rise in cow numbers to 391.5 thousand head.

According to experts, Ukraine is seeing a regional redistribution of production. Due to war-related risks, livestock production capacity is gradually shifting from the eastern and south-eastern regions to central and western Ukraine. Among the leaders in terms of growth is Kyiv Region, where pig numbers increased by 12%, poultry by 8.6%, and cattle by 2.1%.

At the same time, Khmelnytskyi Region increased its poultry population by 58%, while Cherkasy Region increased its pig population by 21%.At the same time, livestock numbers are declining in regions showing negative trends. The sharpest decline was recorded in Donetsk Region, where livestock numbers across all categories fell by 69%. In Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions, poultry numbers decreased by 10% and 16%, respectively. In Zakarpattia Region, households reduced pig numbers by 67% and cattle numbers by 66%.

«The key feature remains the growing role of commercial livestock farming against the backdrop of a gradual decline in household production. Agricultural enterprises are increasing livestock numbers, improving production efficiency and strengthening their position in supplying the domestic meat market. In the short term, this trend is expected to continue, with the main investments concentrated in safer regions of Ukraine,» UCAB concluded.