Browse Data and Analysis

Post expects livestock numbers and beef production to continue their decrease through 2025. Beef production efficiency remains low, with the majority of beef derived from dairy and dual-purpose animals.

Following a gradual decline in the national cattle herd over the previous years, breeding cow numbers for beef and dairy are looking to stabilize in 2024. At the end of 2023, a new national coalition government was elected.

In 2023, Ukraine's cattle inventory and beef production remained on a three-decade-long downward trend. The decrease in consumer numbers and comparatively high beef prices resulted in a domestic consumption drop and increased exports of both live cattle for slaughter and beef.

Ukraine’s cattle inventory is expected to remain on its historical downward trend in 2023 and 2024. Exports of live cattle and beef will remain strong as lower disposable incomes result in decreased domestic demand.

Since hitting peak numbers in 2016, the New Zealand national cattle herd has been very gradually declining and this is expected to continue in 2023.

After a major decrease in 2022, Ukraine’s cattle and swine population is expected to decline further in 2023. Although some war-related factors have already had their negative impact, the refugee crisis, disposable income drops, and a weakened economy are expected to depress livestock sector development further.

Both cattle and swine numbers are expected to decrease significantly in 2022, driven by the war-related economic downturn. Pork production is expected to show a decrease, while 2022 beef production is expected to show a short-term spike. Production of both proteins is expected to drop in 2023.