Problems and Prospects of Cheese Production in Ukraine: The Need for Modernization of Whey Processing
Ukrainian cheese producers have achieved significant success in improving quality and expanding product range, made possible by the implementation of modern equipment and cutting-edge technologies. However, the industry still faces serious challenges that hinder its ability to compete fully with European companies.
This is reported by AgroReview
Lagging in Whey Processing
The Director of the Dairy Enterprises Association of Ukraine, Arsen Didur, noted that the main margin in the cheese business today is formed not so much by the cheeses themselves, but through the effective processing of whey. He pointed out that European countries, particularly the Netherlands and Poland, deeply process whey, extracting whey proteins that are used, for example, in baby food. Ukrainian enterprises lag significantly in this aspect, as the whey processing process remains outdated.
“In the Netherlands or even in Poland, whey is broken down almost to molecules, with a focus on whey proteins that are used, for instance, in baby food. This means that European producers can afford deeper processing, and we are losing the competition here because our whey processing is quite outdated,” he explained
According to Arsen Didur, in Ukraine, whey is mainly just dried, after which it is mostly used as a feed additive for agricultural animals. In contrast, deep processing allows European producers to enhance the competitiveness of their products and push Ukrainian producers out of the domestic market.
The Need for Modernization and State Support
To strengthen the position of Ukrainian cheeses in the market, not only technological modernization is needed, but also support from the state. Arsen Didur emphasized that currently, a leading Ukrainian enterprise in the Rivne region processes 300 tons of milk per day, while a Polish producer can process up to 1,500 tons. This is a significant difference that affects the ability to invest in modern whey processing processes and improve production efficiency.
According to the expert, substantial upgrades to production capacities are necessary to implement effective whey processing and ensure price competitiveness in the cheese market. Didur stressed the importance of creating state programs that would combine business funding and support from the government.