Number of pigs in Ukraine 2012-2023

The number of pigs in Ukraine decreased slightly during the observed period. There were over 4.9 million heads recorded in 2023. In comparison, the highest number was observed in 2014 at approximately 7.9 million.

International trade 

Although China produces the highest number of pigs of any country, the European Union (EU) leads the world in terms of pork exports, having exported over 3.7 million metric tons of pork in 2023. The United States is the second-largest exporter of pork, at about three million metric tons.

Consumption in China

Pork features heavily in various traditional Chinese dishes, and thus is widely consumed and sought after in China. As China continues to prosper and expand economically, the amount of meat in the daily meals of consumers in China is expected to increase. There is a high level of demand for pork in China, which cannot be satisfied by domestic production. In 2023, China is forecast to import 2.2 million metric tons of pork, making it the top importer of pork as well as the top producer.