Pork has become cheaper: how prices change on the eve of winter holidays

During November, prices for chilled pork in Ukrainian supermarkets became more affordable for consumers. According to the Association of Pork Producers of Ukraine (ASU), the average cost of a kilogram of meat decreased by 1.1% compared to October, reaching 205.7 hryvnias per kilogram.

According to experts, back in October, prices fluctuated within the range of 207.5–209 hryvnias/kg. However, in November they fell to the level of 203.5–207.5 hryvnias/kg. Thus, in the last month of autumn, consumers spent 2.2 hryvnias less for each kilogram of pork.

An interesting fact is that despite the decrease in retail prices, the cost of purchasing pork for processors, on the contrary, increased. In November, a kilogram of pork in slaughter weight cost an average of 61.2 UAH/kg, which is 5.9% more than in October. This indicates certain fluctuations in the market that affect various production and sales links.

Experts also note that although retail prices for pork approached last year's (in November 2023, the average cost was 204.4 UAH/kg), purchase prices for pigs in slaughter condition were 13.6% lower than in November last year. This may be due to an increase in supply on the market or the influence of seasonal factors.

A detailed analysis of individual types of meat shows that changes in prices for the main cuts — such as shoulder, brisket and thigh — were insignificant, within 1%. At the same time, the price of neck, which previously showed the greatest increase in price, fell by 4.1% in November. This may indicate that the market is adapting to consumer demand.

ACS experts explain that the decline in retail prices for pork is typical for this period of the year. It is associated with a decrease in purchasing activity of the population at the beginning of the heating season, when consumer spending is mainly directed to utilities. However, this decline may be temporary, as the winter holidays are approaching, which traditionally increase demand for meat products.