June 20, 2006

Pork output increases 50 percent in Ukraine

Ukraine increased its pork output by 50.2 percent on-year to 44,300 tonnes between January-May, while poultry output increased 25.3 percent to 157,800 tonnes, the state statistics committee reported Tuesday (Jun 20).

Beef output during the period fell 13.8 percent to 50,300 tonnes.

In May, Ukraine produced 10,100 tonnes of pork, 8 percent more than in May 2005. Poultry output in May increased 7.6 percent to 33,800 tonnes and beef output increased 3.8 percent to 11,000 tonnes.

Some 200 new pig farms are under construction in the country, with the number of pigs expected to increase by 2 million head this year.

Meanwhile, poultry output is likely to increase this year to 550,000 tonnes from 419,200 tonnes in 2005.

Ukraine's pork and poultry boom is fuelled by a number of investors who have poured money into upgrading existing facilities and creating new ones.

By 2010, Ukraine plans to have an annual production of 800,000 tonnes of poultry of which 500,000 tonnes would be broiler chicken meat.