In January-May of this year, Ukraine successfully exported 9.6 thousand tons of beef worth $38.1 million. This is respectively 3.6 and 2.6 times more than in the same period last year. This is reported by the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB). In particular, May was the most successful month, when 2.5 thousand tons were sold abroad, which is 42% more than in April.

According to the UCAB, the main importers of Ukrainian beef were China - 5.8 thousand tons, Uzbekistan - 1.04 thousand tons, Azerbaijan - 1.06 thousand tons, and Kazakhstan - 590 tons.

"With the outbreak of a full-scale war, the ability to export meat and meat products from Ukraine has become much more difficult. Before the war, only 22.4% of beef exports were carried out by road (77.6% by sea). Even under such difficult conditions, the geography of supplies has not changed. If Ukrainian exporters continue to provide supplies at the same level until the end of the year, we will be able to approach the volumes of 2021," predicts UCAB analyst Maksym Hopka.

However, the association noted that it is important for the Ukrainian beef market to open access to European markets, as logistics is very expensive due to closed ports, making it impossible for the industry to operate efficiently.

According to the UCAB, the European Commission forecasts that due to high beef prices in the EU, consumption of this type of meat is gradually decreasing, and this trend will continue in the coming years. Beef production is expected to decline by 1.6% in 2023, which will keep prices steadily high in the future.