August 21, 2008

Ukraine beef, pork output down; imports from Brazil likely

Ukraine produced 63,900 tonnes of fresh and refrigerated beef and veal in January-July, a fall of 18.6 percent on the year, the State Statistics Committee reported Wednesday (August 20).

Frozen beef and veal output during the period was 26,200 tonnes, 21 percent less than a year earlier.

The production of fresh and refrigerated pork in January-July was 76,100 tonnes, 6.5 percent less than in January-July, 2007, and frozen pork output was 7,500 tonnes, 46.4 percent less than a year earlier.

Fresh and refrigerated poultry output was 318,000 tonnes, 36.4 percent more than in January-July, 2007. Frozen poultry output was 39,100 tonnes, 21.7 percent less on the year.

The Agriculture Ministry said Wednesday negotiations were underway with a number of cattle suppliers in Brazil for the supply of first 10,000 cows in the spring of 2009.