Chicken and eggs may rise in price by 15-20%: blackouts hit poultry industry
27 November 2025 07:27
Ukraine continues to experience regular blackouts caused by Russia’s massive attacks on its energy infrastructure. The industry is forced to switch to generators or partially stop production. Executive Director of the Ukrainian Poultry Association Sergiy Karpenko in an exclusive commentary
“The use of alternative sources of electricity has a negative impact on the cost of eggs and poultry meat. Constant power outages pose a threat not only to production but also to the continued existence of the poultry industry and the country’s food security,” Karpenko said.
Why blackouts are so dangerous for production
According to him, a power outage is fraught with livestock losses and an increase in production costs.
“Incubation and then rearing of young laying hens requires strict adherence to the technological indicators of poultry keeping for four months, which cannot be achieved without ensuring a stable and uninterrupted supply of electricity. The use of backup power sources not only significantly increases the cost of production, but also increases the risk of losing poultry as a result of possible failures in their operation,” the expert explained.
Blackouts are especially critical for chicken producers, where electricity is needed at all stages:
- incubation
- rearing
- slaughter and primary processing;
- cooling and storage;
- transportation.
“Poultry producers have even more stringent requirements for electricity supply, which is needed for incubation, throughout the entire technological cycle of rearing, slaughtering, processing, storage and delivery of finished products to consumers,” Karpenko said.
The production of feed for poultry is not yet fully adapted to operate in the event of a power outage. The equipment of feed mills cannot operate stably on diesel generators, which jeopardizes the safety of livestock.
“The powerful equipment of feed mills requires a certain voltage to start and operate, to ensure all related processes of feed production according to the rations, which diesel generators are simply not capable of providing. The inability to produce feed threatens the inevitable loss of poultry population,” the expert explained.
Prices may rise by 15-20%
According to the expert, the use of alternative energy sources could lead to a 15-20% increase in the price of poultry products.
“Electricity accounts for 7 to 12% of the cost of poultry production, and up to 30% for some types of products. However, it should be understood that the production of poultry products consists of different stages, and therefore at each stage we will have an increase in the cost of components and, accordingly, the cost of the final product of the industry will grow exponentially,” Karpenko emphasized.
He added that the main negative consequence for the industry will be a rise in the cost of feed, which accounts for the largest share of the cost of poultry production and uses electricity in its production. There will also be a chain reaction to increase the cost of other components that form the cost of poultry and egg production.
Poultry farmers are already cutting back on planting plans, which means less production and potentially higher prices for chicken and eggs in the coming months.
“Due to the critical situation with the electricity supply, poultry producers, primarily poultry producers, are reviewing and adjusting their planting plans downward, which will further lead to a reduction in production, exports and tax revenues to budgets of all levels. In the long term, the reduction in production may lead to an even greater increase in prices for poultry products,” summarized the Executive Director of the Ukrainian Poultry Association.
What awaits Ukrainians
Given the rise in feed prices, increased electricity costs and a drop in production, experts predict
- a 15-20% rise in chicken prices;
- gradual rise in egg prices by the end of the year;
- shortage of certain types of products if blackouts continue.
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