Chicken prices in Ukraine will rise by no more than 5 percent this autumn as low purchasing power and a shrinking population depress domestic meat consumption.
Serhiy Karpenko, executive director of the Union of Poultry Breeders of Ukraine, told news agency UNIAN that prices have remained under pressure from excess supply and weak demand since the start of the year. He added that this trend is expected to persist through the end of the year.
The Union of Poultry Breeders of Ukraine is the national trade association representing commercial poultry farmers and meat producers across the country. UNIAN, based in Kyiv, is one of Ukraine's primary independent news agencies.
Foreign trade has provided little relief for domestic poultry producers despite higher shipping volumes. Ukrainian poultry exports totalled 330,200 tonnes during the first eight months of 2026, an increase of 12.5 percent compared to the same period last year. However, overall export revenue dropped by 2.6 percent to 697.9 million dollars over the same timeframe.
Maksym Hopka, head of the analytical department at the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club, also saw no grounds for significant price increases across the meat sector. He explained that low domestic grain prices are helping to contain feed costs, while fuel prices could create slight upward pressure on logistics without causing a major spike.
Retail Risks and Distribution Pressures
Karpenko cautioned that higher poultry prices could still be triggered by Russian shelling and attempts by supermarket chains to insulate themselves from financial losses. Retail networks continue to demand that meat producers absorb operational losses resulting from market disruptions.
While retailer demands have become less aggressive since initial strikes on distribution hubs, Karpenko warned that supermarket chains will likely raise the issue during supply contract renegotiations scheduled for October and November.
Rising Costs for Buckwheat and Eggs
The poultry price outlook comes as consumers face rising costs for other staple foods in Ukrainian retail stores. Buckwheat prices in major supermarket chains have doubled over the past year. Serhiy Hromovyi, executive director of the International Buckwheat Association, attributed a September price surge to panic buying and consumer hype rather than supply shortages.
Chicken egg prices are also projected to rise by up to 25 percent this autumn compared to prices recorded in early September. Industry experts attributed the increase to shorter daylight hours reducing hen laying capacity, alongside steadily rising production expenses.
The Ukrainian Agribusiness Club is a major trade body representing commercial farming businesses and food producers in Ukraine. The International Buckwheat Association monitors grain production and market dynamics across Eastern Europe, where buckwheat remains a core dietary staple.
