Ukraine poultry demand steady despite population decline
Higher per capita intake offsets refugee-driven shifts
19 March 2026
1 minute read
By: Decreasing consumer numbers will slightly reduce Ukraine’s poultry consumption in 2026, according to a recent market report from the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service. However, its post expects this decrease to be more than offset by increased per capita consumption.
Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, the number of officially registered refugees fluctuates. After dropping to 5.7 million in the summer of 2025, the number of refugees increased to 5.9 million by February 2026. The number of refugees outside the EU remains relatively stable.
A significant number of internally displaced people, who reached 3.7 million in December 2025, settled in central and western Ukraine. These internally displaced people heavily rely on poultry, as it is the cheapest source of animal protein.
After a major drop in 2022, the Ukrainian economy is slowly recovering, with the National Bank of Ukraine’s preliminary GDP growth estimate 2.2% in 2025, with 1.8% forecast in 2026.
Stable economic performance and gradual salary growth among the majority of consumers will contribute to stable poultry consumption in 2026.
