Number of cattle in Ukraine continues to decrease

In Ukraine, the tendency to reduce the number of cattle continues. During the year, the number of cattle decreased by 7%.

This is reported by the Ukrainian Association of Milk Producers.

"As of October 1, 2024, 2,294,400 cattle are kept in the domestic and industrial sector in Ukraine, including 1,242,700 cows. Compared to September 1, 2024, the number of cattle in Ukraine has decreased by 54,900 heads (-2%), and the number of cows decreased by 10,500 heads (-1%). Compared to October 1, 2023, the cattle herd decreased by 170,200 heads (-7%), including cows - by 88,200 heads (-7%). About 40% of animals are kept at industrial enterprises, and 60% - at households," the association said.

There are 1,371,500 head of cattle in the homestead sector, while in the industrial sector - 922,900 head.

According to the expert of the Association, Georghii Kuhiashvili, the reduction of the cattle population has been occurring in Ukraine for many years due to the lack of an effective state program to support dairy farming.

"The reduction of herds accelerated after the start of the full-scale invasion of russia. A typical situation for the front-line regions is the death of a certain number of cattle as a result of shelling by the russian occupiers. Enough farmers left cows in the occupied territories. These animals are not subject to accounting or were confiscated by the russian occupiers and sold for meat. Farmers send injured cows to culling, which also contributes to the reduction of herds," the expert noted.

As previously reported, milk prices have risen in Ukraine against the backdrop of a reduction in the supply of raw milk.

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