Exports of dairy products from Ukraine in January–August 2026 fell by 20.5% compared to the same period in 2025—to $176.9 million—while imports rose by 24.7%—to $247.2 million, according to the Ukrainian Dairy Industry Association (UDIA).
As a result, the foreign trade balance for dairy products turned negative, standing at $70.3 million, compared to a positive $24.1 million for the first eight months of last year.
The total volume of foreign trade in dairy products remained virtually unchanged—it rose by only 0.8%, to $424.1 million, compared to $420.6 million a year earlier.
In volume terms, imports of drinking milk and liquid cream saw the largest increase—3.7-fold—followed by butter (2.6-fold), whey (1.7-fold), cheese (26%), and fermented milk products (17%).
At the same time, the shares of dry and condensed milk in the export mix rose to 37% from 24% in August 2025, as did the share of whey, which increased to 11% from 5%. The share of butter and other milk fats fell to 15% from 36%.
In August of this year, cheese accounted for the largest share of imports—76.9% (compared to 82.3% a year earlier). At the same time, the shares of milk and non-condensed cream, whey, butter, and other milk fats increased.
