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
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