In October, Ukraine continued to show a trend of decreasing cow population in households, while the growth rate of the population on industrial farms slowed down noticeably. According to the Association of Milk Producers, almost half of all animals are now kept in only seven regions, which indicates the growing uneven development of the industry.

As of November 1, 2025, according to the State Statistics Service, the total number of cattle in Ukraine was 2 million 20.8 thousand heads. Of this population, 1 million 105.3 thousand are cows. In just one month, the cattle population decreased by 62.9 thousand heads (-3%), and the number of cows by 16.4 thousand (-1%). In annual terms, the decline is even more significant: compared to November 2024, the cattle population decreased by 224 thousand heads (-10%), and cows - by 128 thousand (-10%).

The structure of livestock keeping remains stable: 47% of animals are kept in industrial enterprises, while 53% are in households. At the same time, it is the industrial sector that demonstrates the best dynamics. 947.1 thousand cattle are kept at enterprises, which is 2 thousand more than a month ago (+0.2%). The number of cows in this segment also increased - to 384.1 thousand (+0.1%). Over the past 12 months, the industrial sector increased the livestock by 28.6 thousand heads (+3%), and the number of cows - by 8.8 thousand (+2%).

In contrast, the household sector continues to experience a sharp decline. The number of cattle in households is 1 million 73.7 thousand heads, which is 64 thousand less (-6%) compared to the beginning of October. The number of cows in the private sector decreased to 721.2 thousand heads, losing 17 thousand (-2%) per month. In annual terms, the decline is even deeper: minus 253 thousand heads of cattle (-19%) and minus 137 thousand cows (-16%).

Geographically, production is also concentrated in several key regions. Seven regions account for almost half of the country's livestock. The leaders are Khmelnytskyi region with 193.1 thousand heads, Poltava region - 177 thousand, Vinnytsia region - 144.4 thousand. This is followed by Cherkasy region with 127.4 thousand heads, Chernihiv region - 125.4 thousand, Odesa region - 122.7 thousand and Ternopil region - 119.8 thousand.

Analysts emphasize that the ongoing reduction in the livestock in households may affect the supply of raw milk and the structure of the market as a whole. At the same time, industrial farms remain the only segment that maintains positive dynamics, although they are not able to fully compensate for the decline in the private sector.