Ukraine Reduces Dairy Exports by 19% in August

Despite the decline, exports increased year-over-year: volumes rose by 26% compared to August 2024, and from January to August 2025, the overall export of dairy products showed a growth of 13% in physical terms and 49% in monetary terms.

Main export items in August:

• butter — 27%;

• ice cream — 19%;

• condensed milk and cream — 18%;

• cheeses — 18%.

In terms of physical volumes, exports increased for milk and cream, not condensed (+13%), buttermilk (+7%), and cheeses (+8%). Meanwhile, ice cream supplies decreased by 39.9%, and casein by 55.4%.

Revenue growth was recorded for exports of milk and cream (to $1.53 million, +14%), buttermilk (to $831 thousand, +8%), whey (to $1.23 million, +11%), and cheeses (to $5.64 million, +7%). However, revenue from ice cream sharply declined ($5.88 million, -41%) and casein ($2.02 million).

According to Georgiy Kukhaleyshvili, the key factor was the restoration of tariffs and quotas for Ukrainian dairy companies in the EU market. After the preferential volumes were exhausted, exporting traded goods to the EU became economically unfeasible. Additional pressure is exerted by:

• logistical difficulties related to the war;

• increased competition from Belarusian and Russian producers.

In August, Ukraine imported 5.19 thousand tons of dairy products, mainly cheeses (80%), which is 1% more than in July. However, the trade balance remained positive at $4.29 million.