January 30, 2009
Ukrainian pork prices increase for meat processors
Pork price is increasing in Ukraine for meat processors as prices now totals around UAH20 (US$2.58) per kilogramme.
Late in 2008, the price did not exceed UAH 18 and experts said the price hikes was due to a raw meat deficit on the market.
Ukrainian Club of Agrarian Business expert, Yelyzaveta Sviatkivska said Ukraine returned to the practice of meat imports licensing on January 1, but only few importing companies drew up the necessary documents which resulted in a full lack of offer for the imported pork at the Ukrainian market.
The meat processors had earlier compensated insufficient offer of domestic meat by purchasing cheap import meat which held a price jump for Ukraine's meat and caused discontent from cattle-breeders.
Another problem for the meat processors was reduction in consumer demand that also affected the final price for meat and sausage products.
Saltovsky Meat-Packing Factory director, Denys Paramonov said due to the country's dollar reduction, the import raw meat grew in price by 60 percent with meat processors raising the price by 15 percent to 20 percent.
Market players said sales slowdown made meat processors reduce the production volumes which totalled 20 percent to 50 percent.
Further production volumes will depend on the economic situation in the country.
