Ukraine imported lots of low-quality pork in beginning of 2012

Analysts state that in the first two months of this year, Ukraine imported 2.3 times more pork than in the same period in 2011.

Analysts from agency Dykun Global Consult estimated that the total volume amounted to 13,633 tonnes, worth US$24.7 million.

It is worth to note that Ukraine currently imports mainly cheap and low-quality pork, which could be sold at about 30% lower prices than pork produced domestically. As a result, Ukrainian pork producers face significant losses due to the inability to sell their products.

The average value of imported pork products was about 15 hryvnia/kg ($2.04). Domestically produced pork, however, reached a minimum level of 20-20.5 hryvnia/kg ($2.73-2.79) this week, the Ukraine State Statistical Service (Gosstat) reported. Last week it was at 19-19.5 hryvnia/kg ($2.59-2.66).

Since the majority of the Ukrainian consumers has relatively little money to spend, and since purchasing decisions are traditionally made on price, the choice for cheap imported pork is understandable. Pork exports from Ukraine fell by 7% over the first two months of 2012.

Analysts from market research firm Grain Ukraine added: "In January and February of this year, exports amounted to 3,700 tonnes, worth $17.2 million. The fact that imports exceed exports by 3.5 times, points to an unhealthy economic situation in the country.”