Ukraine is bracing for a surge in food prices in the coming months as persistent power outages disrupt the operations of farms and feed mills.
Meat and milk prices can jump by a third in Ukraine over the next few months due to blackouts and, consequently, rising feed prices, Yulia Samoylik, a doctor of economics, warned in an interview with a local news outlet, Suspilnoye.
During the last several weeks, Ukraine has experienced consistent blackouts due to drone and missile attacks targeting energy infrastructure. Rolling power cuts now last up to 14 hours per day, and as temperatures dip, the energy situation is expected to deteriorate.
Grain grinding, compound feed production, and storage are all dependent on the electricity supply. When power goes out for long, farms face additional costs.
Feed industry on the line
Feed production is one of the segments substantially affected by power outages.
“Grain grinding, compound feed production, and storage are all dependent on the electricity supply. When power goes out for long, farms face additional costs,” Samoylik said, as quoted by the publication.
To keep production humming during the power outages, manufacturers are forced to switch to diesel generators. This means additional costs for fuel, maintenance, and logistics, which are automatically factored into the production costs, Samoylik explained.
Prices start biting
Ukrainian citizens have already witnessed the effects of the cost hike, as the price of some livestock products on grocery shelves rose by UAH 15 to 25 (EUR 0.3 to 0.5) per kg.
Not only is feed production affected, but the costs are rising along the entire production chain.
“Meat processing also depends on electricity—sausage factories, smokehouses, refrigerators, and packaging lines cannot operate without a stable power supply,” Samoylik added.
The upward price rally on the Ukrainian food market has already begun to take a toll on the population’s purchasing power, especially among the most vulnerable groups.
Meat processing also depends on electricity—sausage factories, smokehouses, refrigerators, and packaging lines cannot operate without a stable power supply.
Livestock population declines
This is not the first time the Ukrainian agricultural industry has voiced concerns about the devastating impact of rolling blackouts.
For example, the Ukrainian Agricultural Rada, a farmers’ union, warned in a statement early December 2025 that the livestock and feed market was in turmoil due to a mix of factors.
According to the organisation, pig and cattle populations have dropped by 7% since the beginning of the year, dragging down demand in the feed market.
A seasonal rise in poultry feed prices during the winter months also adds to the pressure.
Power outages put additional strain on the already-troubled livestock and feed businesses in Ukraine, struggling to make ends meet amid a tough financial situation.
