Ukraine almost triples dairy imports in Q1

Ukraine's Milk Producers Association says the country in January-March 2020 (Q1) boosted dairy food imports by 2.6 times year-over-year (y-o-y), to US$67.4 million.

At the same time, shipments of Ukrainian dairy products abroad shrank by 9.3%, to US$44.7 million.

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"In January-March, there was a decline in exports of dairy products. Trade in creamery butter decrease the most, as the exports tumbled by 47.2%, to 3,100 tonnes. Shipments of milk whey and casein also dropped by over 39%, to 4,800 tonnes and 402 tonnes, respectively," the Association's press service said on April 22.

Moreover, exports of cheese shrank by 26.1% to 1,200 tonnes, those of condensed milk and cream by 25.3% to 4,400 tonnes, and shipments of non-condensed milk and cream by 25.3% to 4,400 tonnes.

Exports of fermented milk products also fell by 9.8%, to 1,300 tonnes, the report said.

However, ice cream exports over the period under review grew by 12%, to 1,300 tonnes.

According to experts, critical drop in the exports began in the past year due to a number of problems in the dairy industry, as well as a significant strengthening of the hryvnia, Ukraine's national currency. The decrease in customs duties on dairy products contributed to the intensification of dairy food imports from other countries.