Ukraine reduced its exports of frozen beef at the beginning of 2026.
In January, domestic companies shipped 966 tons of frozen beef (cattle meat) to foreign markets, which is approximately 31% less than in the same period last year. The decrease in export
volumes also affected foreign currency revenues. In January, export earnings from frozen beef totaled around USD 4.6 million, representing a decline of more than 13% compared to January 2025.
Key Export Destinations
The primary importers of Ukrainian frozen beef remain countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Azerbaijan accounted for more than one-third of total shipments. Significant volumes were also exported to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Together, these three countries represent the majority of external demand for Ukrainian beef products.
Factors Behind the Decline
The reduction in exports may be attributed to several factors, including changing market conditions, price fluctuations, logistics costs, and domestic production capacity. The beginning of the year is traditionally characterized by lower business activity, which may also have influenced trade performance. Industry experts note that future export volumes will largely depend on demand stability in key markets and overall price trends in the global meat trade.
