KIEV, March 2 – The Ukrmiaso national association of meat producers forecasts a mass closure of domestic meat processing companies in 2009 due to a lack of funds and raw materials, an association board member, Ivan Hrod, told Interfax-Ukraine.

"We expect that by the end of the year, around 50% of companies will close," he said.

Hrod said that meat companies would face the acutest problem with raw materials in March 2009 due to the introduction of a 13% extra duty on imports of some goods, including on pork and beef.