Cattle Population in Ukraine Rapidly Declining Due to High Costs and Low Milk Prices
In Ukraine, the number of cattle, including cows, continues to decline. The main factors putting pressure on livestock farming are the rapid increase in the cost of raw milk production, low purchase prices from processors, expensive fuel and lubricants, and the expected rise in prices for coarse feed.
This was reported by Delo.ua, citing data from the Milk Producers Association (AVM).
According to the State Statistics Service, as of August 1, 2026, there are 1,751,100 head of cattle in the household and industrial sectors of Ukraine, including 932,600 cows. Compared to July 1, 2026, the cattle population has decreased by 15,900 head (-0.9%), and the number of cows has decreased by 8,600 head (-0.9%).
In annual terms (compared to August 1, 2025), the total cattle population has decreased by 400,000 head (-19%), including cows, which decreased by 208,000 head (-18%). Currently, about 54% of the animals are kept in industrial enterprises, while 46% are in household farms.
Dynamics in the Industrial and Household Sectors
Statistical data indicate that the decline is uneven:
- Industrial Sector: Agricultural enterprises house 953,000 head of cattle, which is 2,000 head less (-0.2%) compared to the figures on July 1, 2026. The number of cows in enterprises is 392,800 head - it has decreased by 3,800 head (-1%) in a month. At the same time, in annual terms, there has been an increase in enterprises: the cattle population has grown by 29,500 head (+3%), and the number of cows has increased by 11,200 head (+3%).
- Household Sector: In household farms, there are 798,100 head of cattle, which is 14,000 head less (-1.7%) than a month ago. The number of cows in households is 539,800 head, having decreased by 5,000 head (-0.9%) over the month. Over the year, the cattle herd in households has fallen by 430,000 head (-35%), and the number of cows has decreased by 219,000 head (-29%).
Despite the overall decline, over the past year, an increase in the number of cows in enterprises has been recorded in 12 regions. The leaders in growth were Rivne (+28%), Lviv (+21%), Kharkiv (+15%), Ternopil (+13%), Zhytomyr (+8%), and Khmelnytskyi (+7%) regions. Positive dynamics were also observed in Kyiv (+4%), Cherkasy (+4%), Mykolaiv (+3%), Chernihiv (+2%), Vinnytsia (+1%), and Volyn (+1%) regions.
About 60% of cows in the industrial sector are concentrated on dairy farms in six key regions: Poltava (52,400 head), Cherkasy (46,100), Chernihiv (38,000), Kyiv (35,400), Khmelnytskyi (32,500), and Vinnytsia (30,000 head).
Reasons for Losses and Threats to the Industry
The decrease in livestock numbers is a long-standing problem in Ukraine due to the lack of effective long-term state support for dairy cattle breeding. Since 2014, the number of cows has decreased almost threefold. The full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation has exacerbated the crisis, forcing enterprises from frontline regions in the south and east to relocate their herds to safer areas.
The state partially supports the industry through compensation for the cost of building and reconstructing farms. 31 enterprises benefit from the program, and for relocated farms, compensation amounts to up to 50%.
However, the main problem for producers remains production costs. Due to rising fuel prices, logistics and transportation costs for milk to factories are increasing. The cost of coarse feed is rising against the backdrop of high diesel prices, while the shortage of fertilizers and expensive transportation increases overall feed production costs. Current purchase prices for raw milk do not cover costs, making farm operations often unprofitable or, at best, break-even.
Due to low profitability, farmers are forced to sell cattle for slaughter. According to the State Statistics Service, from January to July 2026, the volume of cattle slaughter amounted to 79,240 tons, which is 6% more than last year, with industrial slaughter in July increasing by 2% compared to June.
Experts warn that if domestic dairy plants do not modernize for deeper processing of raw materials and do not raise purchase prices by 2035, small and medium-sized farms, which provide about 40% of the industrial cattle population, may completely disappear from the market.
It should be noted that it was previously reported that the number of cows in the household sector is declining. The reduction is mainly occurring in household farms against the backdrop of low milk prices and high feed costs.
-- Price
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and doesn't constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Any events, rewards, online promotions, or related information mentioned herein should not be considered a recommendation, solicitation, or invitation to purchase, sell, trade, or otherwise deal in any crypto assets. Crypto assets are highly volatile and may result in loss. The availability of WEEX services, products, and related events may vary by region. You are responsible for ensuring that your participation is in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.
You may also like

Global Economic Damage from Natural Disasters to Reach $450 Billion Annually

U.S. Employment Data to be Released on September 4, Impact of Hawkish Remarks from Chair Powell

JPMorgan Predicts Non-Farm Payroll Data Will Impact U.S. Stock Market

August Employment Expected to Be Around 50,000, Unemployment Rate to Remain at 4.1%

August Employment Report to Be Released on September 4, Impacting Fed's Rate Decision

Federal Reserve Sets Target Range of 3.50-3.75% for 2025 After Three Rate Cuts
US Job Growth Revised Down, Non-Farm Payrolls May Decrease by 79,000

US Employment Statistics Revised Upward by 185,000

Soluna proposes 1 billion shares to fund AI and Bitcoin expansion

What Kind of Blockchain Does Finance Really Need When Throughput Is No Longer a Bottleneck?

$317 Billion Stablecoins Become a New Demand Layer for Short-Term Treasuries

From a Loss of 1.1 Million to a Profit of 10 Million in 10 Months: A Review of Hyperliquid Arbitrage by Two Individuals

Debt Expansion and Currency Shuffle: The Biggest Beta Opportunity in the Crypto Market According to Hayes

The Essence of Meme Harvesting in US Stocks Seen Through FAMI and JINQIAN

Sui Chain DeFi Protocol Full Sail Announces Liquidation: $91,000 Lost Due to Attack on Oracle Switchboard

Bitwise: Bitcoin Decouples from US Stocks, Officially Enters Digital Gold Pricing Cycle

JPMorgan Raises HashKey Target Price to HKD 4.20, Maintains Overweight Rating

Important News from Last Night and This Morning (September 2 - September 3)

Which Altcoins Benefit from the Popularity of Robinhood Chain Without Issuing Tokens?

Last Night, Silicon Valley Experienced a Battle of AI Titans

Arthur Hayes: ETH Expected to Rise to $10,000 This Year, Fed's Balance Sheet Expansion Will Inject Liquidity into Crypto Market

Industry Day: CABA lost 17,000 jobs in the sector in 2 years and warns that the decline continues
Leverage, Ferraris, and the Law of Attraction: Carl Moon’s "First Life" | WE TALK by WEEX
From a supermarket clerk in Northern Europe to a trader, racer, and musician who dictates his own destiny, Carl Moon’s story isn’t a simple get-rich-quick fantasy. It’s a long-term, self-driven game of goals, discipline, and risk control.

What is 'Red September'? The Bitcoin Curse and Why Wall Street Can't Escape It

Fixed Term in Dollars: A Bank Updated Its Rates, Reaching Up to 4.5%

A New Study Refutes the 'Bank Collapse Theory' in the Crypto Circle

U.S. Treasury Becomes a 'Shadow Central Bank', Eroding the Independence of Federal Reserve Monetary Policy

Three Public Chains Halt Operations in Four Days: Who Has the Power to Press the Pause Button?

HYPE First Adopted in US Cryptocurrency Index ETF, Following SOL



