Imports of dairy products exceeded exports

У січні–вересні 2026 року зовнішня торгівля України молочною продукцією продемонструвала негативну динаміку для вітчизняних експортерів. За даними експертно-аналітичної служби Спілки молочних підприємств України, imports increased by 22% to $280.3 million, тоді як експорт скоротився на 16,2% — до $203,6 млн.

The total volume of foreign trade in dairy products was $484 million, which is 2.4% more than in the same period of 2025.

At the same time, the trade balance changed from positive to negative. If in nine months of last year exports exceeded imports by $13.2 million, this year the difference was the same minus $76.7 million.

What dairy products Ukraine began to export more actively

Despite the general decrease in export revenue, an increase in physical volumes of deliveries was recorded for certain categories of products.

In the nine months of 2026, the export of fermented milk products in natural terms increased by 25.5%. Deliveries of whey increased by 5.2%, drinking milk and liquid cream by 3.8%, and cheeses by 3.5%.

At the same time, the most noticeable reduction occurred in the segment of butter and milk fats: export volumes decreased by approximately 1.8 times. Supplies of dry and condensed milk decreased by 1%.

Therefore, the situation on foreign markets differs depending on the category of goods. The growth of physical volumes of exports of individual products has not yet been able to compensate for the overall drop in revenue.

What dairy products Ukraine imports the most

The physical volumes of drinking milk and liquid cream imports increased the fastest in nine months — 2.8 times. Imports of butter and milk fats have increased approximately twice.

Also, the supply of milk whey increased by 33%, and the import of cheeses increased by 11%.

The increase in imports occurs simultaneously with the reduction of the total export revenue of Ukrainian manufacturers. This widens the gap between the value of the products that the country sells in foreign markets and the costs of purchases abroad.

The September recovery of exports has not yet changed the trend

In September, Ukrainian exports of dairy products increased by 26.6% compared to August and reached $26.7 million. This is the highest monthly figure since July 2025.

However, one month with positive dynamics is not enough to talk about a permanent recovery of the industry. According to the results of January-September, export revenue was still 16.2% lower than a year earlier.

In order to assess further prospects, it is important whether the increase in deliveries will continue in the coming months and whether Ukrainian producers will be able to regain their positions on foreign markets.

Which means a worsening trade balance for the industry

The transition to a negative trade balance indicates that Ukraine spends more on the import of dairy products than it receives from its export. At the same time, this indicator by itself does not determine the reasons for an increase in imports or a decrease in exports: the dynamics can be influenced by prices, demand, supply structure and competitive conditions.

For Ukrainian manufacturers, increasing competitiveness, developing export directions and strengthening positions in the domestic market remain important tasks.

Further dynamics will depend on the industry's ability to increase production of value-added products, find new sales markets and compete with imported goods in terms of price and quality.