Eight out of ten key industrial hog farm operators continue to operate as normal. This is evidenced by the results of a survey of 80 industrial pig farms, which at the beginning of the year kept about 2.2 million pigs and about 175,000 sows (more than 62% of the total and 78% of the breeding stock of industrial pigs). Dozens of enterprises (12.5% of respondents, more than 410 thousand of total livestock) have plans to increase their livestock both at the expense of breeding stock, and through the expansion of fattening facilities. As for the enterprises in the occupied territories, no more than 40% of the sample contacts them. Those that have been contacted continue to work.
«Most enterprises in Ukraine-controlled territories, which formed the core of the industrial pork industry before the invasion, have remained in the market and have no plans to reduce. Including enterprises that survived the occupation and suffered losses and destruction as a result of missile strikes, have returned to routine operations,» commented the industry association.
Among the circumstances that complicate the work of industry operators, the vast majority notes the limited access and high price of key consumable material resources — feed ingredients (premixes, vitamin-mineral supplements, etc.), fuel, veterinary drugs. Second place among the most pressing barriers is staff mobilization, which in the past two months has become a pressing issue for pork producers. On the third place in the list of industry issues — concerns about the situation on the market of grains and oilseeds: operators are concerned about the prospects for the future sowing season.
The blocking of tax invoices is not widespread yet, but, according to the results of June, it took the fourth place among the key problems of the industry. Other barriers to the operators include difficulties in obtaining permits, lack of opportunities to attract credit to cover the need for working capital, changes in approaches of state support, and problems with VAT refunds. In addition, the players of the breeding resources market note a decrease in trading activity.
Association of Ukranian Pig Breeders is a nonprofit, voluntary organization founded by domestic pork producers. The main objectives of the association are representation and protection of rights and interests of farms of the association, assistance in development and implementation of new technologies for efficient production of pork, expansion of markets, protection of domestic sales market.
