Though Ukraine is associated with lard in the world, the production of “strategically important” product for the Ukrainians within the country has been sharply lowered.

Moreover, the volume of imports of lard is steadily increasing every year. For example, last year Ukraine imported lard more by 40% than in 2008. In particular, according to the weekly “Comments”, volume of shipments of lard from abroad was increased from 34 thousand tons in 2008 to 47.3 thousand tons in 2009, reports TSN.

According to the experts, this imbalance in the market occurs because Ukrainian farmers switched to growing of meat and lard pig breeds.

The main factor of growth in imports - is the price difference for pork meat and lard. Lard is less expensive approximately by 30-50%, thus it is less profitable for agricultural enterprises.

However, in the manufacture of sausages, as before, lard is widely used, as well as by-products. And it stimulates an increase of its imports. Niche of local manufacturers who have given up breeding of pigs with a high content of fat, gradually was taken by the Poles, as Poland sees Ukraine as a promising market for lard.

But the citizens of Poltava, as it turned out, may eat lard in any form and in any weather. In Poltava, the traditional festival of lard was still held. Organizers, sorry for the animals, abolished the promised pig races, but they were not sorry for the visitors. They liberally poured champagne on lard and treated the guests with the new dish.