Companies@UA: База компаний Украины

Kyiv, August 6 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukrainian companies imported 212,000 tonnes of meat in the first half of 2009, which was less than forecast, Economy Minister Bohdan Danylyshyn said in an interview with the Den newspaper on Thursday.

"There should be a certain balance of goods in the country. If the Economy Ministry sees that there is not enough meat in 2009, as our producers cannot produce it [in the required quantity], then, of course, one should look substitutes somewhere to meet our citizens' consumer needs," he said.

He said that despite an increase in state subsidies for cattle breeders, cattle numbers continue to fall.

As reported, in the first half of 2008 Ukraine imported 160,000 tonnes of meat and products made of meat. In the second quarter of 2008 alone, Ukraine imported 143,000 tonnes, which was connected to Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organization. Ukraine imported a total of 530,000 tonnes of meat last year.

The Agriculture Ministry forecasts that in 2009 meat imports will decline to 250,000-280,000 tonnes, while the Economy Ministry's meat import forecast stood at up to 300,000 tonnes.