Imports of meat in Ukraine in the first quarter of 2010 totalled 58,000 tonnes, down by 40% compared with the corresponding period last year in 2009.

This was announced by president of the association, Ukrainian Club of Agrarian Business, Alex Lissitsa during the international conference "Ukraine's Meat Livestock - 2010".

The association head noted that the decline in the imports was caused by the development of domestic livestock, strengthening of veterinary control, as well as decrease in the solvency of Ukrainian consumers. The bulk of the import traditionally consists of poultry meat (24 thousand tonnes) and pork (19 thousand tonnes).

Assessing the current situation in the Ukrainian livestock, as well as investment prospects in the most attractive of its directions, expert Volodymyr Lapa said the decline in imports may become a trend of 2010, as at the beginning of April this year the number of pigs increased by 14% compared to the previous year, and birds more than 5%. "Later, not only will competition among imports be more visible, but also among the domestic producers," he also said.