Sheep farming in Ukraine

Sheep herding was practiced in Ukraine by the Hutsuls, who lived in the Carpathian Mountains since the 19th century.^[2] They bred the Ukrainian Carpathian mountain sheep, which was a coarse-wool breed, which could adapt to the cold climate of the mountains.^[1][3] The Hutsuls wore horned hats made of black sheepskin during the winters to protect themselves from the cold weather.^[4]

During the Russian Empire, sheep herding in Ukraine was expanded due to the increasing demand for wool from the textile industry. The state promoted improvements in animal husbandry. New breeds such as the Karakul sheep was introduced.^[5][6] During the Soviet era, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was one of the major sheep raising regions in the Soviet Union.^[7] During the period, independent sheep pastures were replaced by kolkhozes and sovkhozes.^[8] Ukraine had 6.4 million sheep in 1938.^[9]

After 1991, the population of sheep has declined sharply due to the privatization of collective farms.^[10] The population of sheep reduced to about 0.7 million by the early 21st century.^[10]

In modern Ukraine, sheep breeding is practiced on a small-scale when compared to the Soviet period. The production of wool is manly concentrated in southern and western regions such as Odesa and Zakarpattia oblasts.^[11][12] In recent years, sheep farming in Ukraine has shown signs of recovery, with growing interest among private farmers and small enterprises. The state also provides a subsidy of 2,000 hryvnias for each new sheep or goat.^[13]

As of 1 January 2019, there are 36 breeding farms in Ukraine where 26.7 thousand heads of sheep are bred, which includes 901 rams and 16.8 thousand ewes.^[14] According to the State Statistics Service, In August 2025, Ukraine has recorded 981.7 thousand sheep and goats.^[15]

However in 2026, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Taras Vysotsky reported that Ukraine has about 760 thousand heads, which was more than 13% less ,when compared to the previous year.^[16]

Sheep farming in Ukraine contributes to the production of products such as wool, meat, and sheep milk. Lamb and mutton are consumed in several regions, especially in the Carpathian Mountains, where pastoralism still exists. Sheepskin is processed into leather and is used to make coats, jackets, fur coats, and other products.^{[citation needed]}

Sheepskin was used to make a traditional Ukrainian fur coat, called kozhukh, which was worn in the winter.^[17] Kozhushanka was another traditional coat which was made of sheepskin. It was worn by women during the winter in the middle Dnieper River region^[18][19] Sheep milk is used to produce regional cheeses such as bryndza and vurda, which are an important part of the Hutsul culture.^[20]

Sheep farming in Ukraine includes a range of native and introduced breeds. The most important native breeds are the Askanian sheep and the Ukrainian Mountain Carpathian sheep.^[21][1]

Other locally developed varieties includes the Askanian Karakul sheep.^[21] Breeds that were locally developed or introduced has played an important role, especially the Karakul sheep and Merino sheep, which was imported for it's fine wool.^[6][21] Imported breeds such as the Romanov sheep and Prekos sheep have also been used for meat and other purposes.^[21][22]

• Agriculture in Ukraine
• Agriculture in the Soviet Union