Prices for Dairy Products Rise in Ukraine: Imported Cheeses Cheaper than Domestic Ones

The Ukrainian market continues to see rising prices for dairy products, particularly for milk, kefir, sour cream, and cheeses. At the same time, there is a decrease in the purchasing power of the population, making it more difficult for many consumers to access quality products. The price advantage of imported cheeses, especially those from Poland, has become particularly noticeable, as they are significantly cheaper than domestic counterparts.

This is reported by AgroReview

Price Dynamics and Competitive Pressure from Imports

According to analyst Georgiy Kukhaleyshvili, in September, there was an increase in the cost of almost all types of dairy products. Specifically, over the past month, prices rose by 1–6%, while the annual increase was 20–30%. Experts attribute this trend to food inflation and a reduction in production that has been occurring since the beginning of the year. The share of imported products is also growing in the market, often offered at lower prices than Ukrainian goods.

• Pasteurized Milk with 2.6% Fat:
  • in film – 48.21 UAH/kg (+6% over the month, +23% over the year)
  • in plastic bottle – 65.42 UAH/kg (+1.9% over the month, +24% over the year)
• Kefir 2.5%:
  • in film – 56.74 UAH/kg (+2% over the month, +20% over the year)
  • in plastic bottle – 76.45 UAH/kg (+3% over the month, +25% over the year)
• Sour Cream 15%:
  • in cups – 187.22 UAH/kg (+0.5% over the month, +25% over the year)
  • in film – 148.93 UAH/kg (+2% over the month, +30% over the year)
• Yogurts have increased by 1–2%
• Cottage Cheese – by 3%
• Butter reached an average price of 586.64 UAH/kg (+27% over the year)
• Hard Cheeses (“Ukrainian”, “Dutch”, “Gouda”, “Maasdam”, “Mozzarella”) have increased in price by 11–29%

The most significant price increase was observed for Ukrainian cheeses, while imported products from the EU, particularly Polish cheeses, turned out to be 20–30% more affordable. For example, Maasdam Kroon (Poland) costs about 529 UAH/kg, while a similar Ukrainian cheese costs over 740 UAH/kg.

Reasons for Price Increases and Prospects for Consumers

“The rise in the cost of dairy products is related not only to inflationary processes but also to a decline in demand and a reduction in production capacities. Many enterprises are forced to operate ‘on stock’, as the export of dairy products to the EU is temporarily restricted, and domestic consumption is decreasing due to reduced purchasing power.”

Additionally, producers are facing a decrease in purchase prices for raw milk, which does not lead to a reduction in the cost of finished products. The main reasons remain the rising costs of energy resources, logistics, and packaging, which increase production costs.

According to analysts’ forecasts, a short-term increase in demand for fresh dairy products is expected during the winter period; however, prices are unlikely to decrease. Ukrainian cheese producers plan to raise retail prices by another 5%, while in EU countries, cheese prices are decreasing by 8%. This could lead to further widening of the price gap between Ukrainian and European products.

Experts warn that this situation creates additional risks for the domestic market: consumers will more frequently choose imported goods, which may complicate the situation for domestic producers and lead to further reductions in production volumes in the country.