Ukraine imposes restrictions on US poultry imports

UKRAINE – Ukraine is introducing trade restrictions on certain animal products from the United States following detections of bird flu in several states, according to the State Service on Food Security and Consumer Protection.

The country is blocking the import of hatching eggs, poultry meat, and other poultry-derived products from the US, except those that have been processed.

The ban applies specifically to products originating from South Dakota, North Dakota, Illinois, California, New Jersey, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Authorities stated that the measure is aimed at preventing the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza into Ukraine’s domestic poultry industry.

In a separate move, Ukraine is also halting imports of live animals and animal products from Cambodia due to the presence of contagious nodular dermatitis.

The Cambodian restrictions, which came into effect on August 5, cover animals, reproductive material, hides, milk, and dairy products, excluding processed items.

Officials said the decision follows reports of the disease spreading within Cambodian herds, posing a risk to Ukraine’s livestock sector.

These developments come as global meat prices are reaching levels not seen in decades, according to new figures from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The FAO’s Food Price Index, which tracks changes in the prices of five key food commodities, averaged 130.1 points in July, representing a 1.6% rise from June.

Compared to July 2024, the index is 7.6% higher, although it remains 18.8% below the record peak recorded in March 2022.

The FAO Meat Price Index climbed to 127.3 points in July, the highest in at least 35 years and a 1.2% increase from the previous month.

Year-on-year, meat prices rose by 6%, driven by higher costs for beef and lamb in particular.
Global beef prices hit new highs as strong demand from the United States and China pushed

Australian export availability below market needs.

The FAO also reported that firm demand has raised beef prices in Brazil, where exporters are benefiting from increased overseas orders.

Poultry prices have increased as well, influenced by Brazil’s reinstated avian influenza-free status, which has reopened some export markets.

In contrast, pork prices have declined, with the FAO attributing the drop to sufficient supply and reduced consumption within the European Union.

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