May 15, 2013

Due to a recent ban on products, the European, Chinese and Russian markets may replace Brazilian products with Ukrainian pork. 

"In recent years, we have seen an increase in the welfare of the population in the countries of South East Asia. For example, in China, where demand for animal protein is growing, including pork," said Serhiv Mazin, CEO of Ukrainian analytical company, KSG-Agro.

According to Mazin, Russia and Kazakhstan traditionally cover a substantial portion of their needs through imports of pork, mainly from Europe and Brazil.

The KSG-Agro chief said that a number of European countries, as well as Russia and China, have banned imports of Brazilian pork due to the presence of ractopamine in products.

As a result, opportunities have opened for growth in supplies of Ukrainian products to these markets. "We expect to export up to half the pork produced," Mazin underscored. According to the programme of the agricultural development in Ukraine, the country intends to boost pork export to about 70% until 2020, compared to current level.