Ukraine reduces milk exports by 23% in Aug

Ukraine in August 2018 reduced milk exports to $23.4 million, which was 23% down year-over-year, the Milk Producers Association's press service has reported.

"Exports of dairy products in August showed a slight increase compared to July, total exports amounted to US$23.4 million, which was 2.04% up on July 2018, but almost 23% down on August 2017," it said.

In particular, exports of milk and cream in August totaled 2,000 tonnes worth US$1.4 million. The main sales markets were Moldova, Belarus, Libya, Poland, which together accounted for 70% of all shipments.

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At the same time, imports of this group of products in August showed a double increase to 187 tonnes worth US$227,000. Germany was the main exporter of milk and cream to Ukraine.

The steepest decrease in sales in August compared to the same period last year was recorded in sales of milk and condensed cream – by 13.7%, or 4,300 tonnes worth US$6.9 million. Bangladesh and Kazakhstan were major buyer of Ukrainian-made condensed milk: 1.2 million tonnes and 1 million tonnes, respectively.

Sales of fermented milk products decreased by 10.9% compared to the same period last year, to 481 tonnes worth US$838,000. Moldova and Georgia were major importers of this group of products: US$176,000 and US$107,000, respectively.

Also, exports of whey fell by 6.8%, to 2,200 tonnes worth US$1,600. The largest importer was China (742,000 tonnes).

At the same time, creamery butter exports grew by 8.29%, to 2,200 tonnes worth US$9.6 million. Virtually all the products of this group were supplied to the Netherlands (US$2.1 million).

In addition, exports of cheese in August 2018 compared with August 2017 increased by 21.8%, to 833 tonnes worth $3 million. Ukrainian cheese was imported by Kazakhstan (US$1.3 million), Moldova (US$817,000) and Egypt (US$488,000).