Ukraine has significantly increased its exports of fresh and chilled beef to foreign markets. In the first half of 2026, exports of this product grew nearly 33-fold compared to the same period last year.
From January through June, Ukraine exported 11,400 metric tons of beef, totaling $59.5 million. The fresh and chilled meat segment showed the strongest growth: shipment volumes increased nearly 33-fold, and revenue nearly 41-fold.
Frozen products traditionally accounted for the bulk of beef exports—9,200 metric tons. This is 4.2% less than in the first six months of 2025. At the same time, thanks to rising prices, revenue from these sales increased by 11.2% to $41.8 million.
The largest buyers of Ukrainian frozen beef were Azerbaijan (35.8%); Uzbekistan—32.1%; and China—11.2%.
Meanwhile, exports of fresh and chilled beef totaled 2,200 metric tons, which is nearly 33 times more than a year earlier. Revenue from these shipments reached $17.7 million, an increase of nearly 41 times.
The main markets for fresh meat were Turkey (82%), Georgia (15.6%), and Moldova (1.9%).
A Strange Situation
This situation seems strange given the traditional problems of the Moldovan market with beef.
In Moldova, beef production remains low due to the decline in dairy and beef cattle farming, accounting for only a small share of total meat production. Beef consumption is also low, averaging about 1.9 kg per person per year, trailing behind pork and poultry.
At the same time, the country’s total meat production is showing slow growth (about 78,000 metric tons), but the share of cattle is declining; however, the country’s authorities have done nothing for many years to halt this decline.
In other words, the modest domestic production is balanced by modest local consumption of this type of meat.
