Ukraine has seen a decrease in its cattle population, with a total of 2.178 million heads as of December 1, 2024, a decrease of 3% from the previous month and 7% from the same period the previous year. The majority of the decrease was in the household sector, with a 5% decrease from November 2024 and a 12% decrease from December 2023. The industrial sector experienced a 1% decrease from November 2024 and a 1% decrease from December 2023. The reduction in livestock numbers is attributed to the lack of a effective state program to support dairy farming and the effects of the Russian invasion. The most vulnerable to these challenges were households, where the reduction in the cattle population is occurring at a faster pace. However, there is cautious optimism about an increase in the number of dairy farms in relatively safe regions of Ukraine, as at least 40 farms are implementing measures to modernize and increase the number of highly productive cows.