In 2024, Nestlé in Ukraine invested more than UAH 900 million in three of its factories, which allowed the company to increase production efficiency and increase exports by 76%, according to a release.
“In 2024, the company invested more than UAH 900 million in the development of its three factories in Ukraine. The investments were focused on employee safety solutions, automation and digitalization of production processes and production lines, employee training and development, improvement of working conditions and infrastructure of production facilities, and technological solutions to reduce the carbon footprint,” the statement said.
The company noted that last year, thanks to investments, while maintaining supplies to 28 countries, it was able to significantly increase its exports: by 76% in volume and 128% in hryvnia equivalent.
“In 2024, the FMCG market in Ukraine grew by slightly less than 10%, including due to volumes. Nestlé also plays a role in this growth. We have similar growth with a focus on volume growth, which can be estimated at 7-8%, which is a consequence of our strategy. We have completely redesigned our portfolio, following consumer trends, and adjusted our promotional activities in line with the market situation,” emphasized Alessandro Zanelli, CEO of Nestlé in Ukraine and South-Eastern Europe.
The company cited the launch of a new line of Street Food sauces under the Torchyn brand as an example of its adaptability to consumer needs in times of war, when there is a lack of outdoor activities. This product category was created with an emphasis on the development of street food dishes, the company said in a statement.
In addition, Nestlé in Ukraine continues to produce products to help Ukrainians affected by the war. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, as of the end of 2024, the company has donated more than UAH 1.3 billion in aid, including food donated through charitable foundations for civilians and the military, as well as cash contributions to support, among others, the UNBROKEN and Superhumans rehabilitation centers.
Nestlé is one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies with operations in 187 countries. It offers a wide range of products and services for families and pets. It has more than 2000 trademarks.
Nestlé started its operations in Ukraine in 1994 with the opening of a representative office, acquired a controlling stake in CJSC Lviv Confectionery Factory Svitoch in 1998, and since 2018 has owned 100% of the company’s shares.
In 2010, Nestlé SA acquired Technocom LLC in Kharkiv, a manufacturer of fast food products under the Mivina brand. In 2012, Nestlé Business Service (NBS Europe) was established in Lviv, which is one of seven Nestlé service centers in the world and provides support services to Nestlé divisions in more than 40 countries.
Nestlé’s business in Ukraine is represented by the following areas: coffee and beverages, confectionery, cooking (cold sauces, condiments, soups, convenience foods), baby and specialty foods, breakfast cereals, and pet food.
In 2025, the company plans to open a new factory in Smolyhiv, Volyn region, which is currently in the final stages of construction. It is expected that 80% of the products manufactured at the new factory will be exported to the EU.
Cow prices in February 2025 increased by 20-46% depending on fatness, according to the Association of Milk Producers (AMP).
According to the report, the average price for cows below average fatness in the first half of February 2025 increased to 73 UAH/kg excluding VAT, which is 23 UAH or 46% more than a month earlier, for cows of average fatness – up to 72 UAH/kg excluding VAT (18.25 UAH or 34% more), for higher fatness – up to 70 UAH/kg excluding VAT (12 UAH or 20% more).
“Over the past few weeks, prices for cattle have been rising in Ukraine, driven by an increase in live exports in December-January. The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the German state of Brandenburg led to a reduction in the export of live animals from the EU. However, the demand for cattle in foreign markets is quite active during the period of preparation for Ramadan in Muslim countries,” the industry association explained.
The number of unemployed in Germany in January 2025 reached almost three million, which was a record for the last decade.
This is reported by DW with reference to the Federal Employment Agency.
According to official data, the unemployment rate in Germany increased by 0.4 points since December 2024 and reached 6.4%. This means that the number of unemployed in the country increased by almost 200 thousand more compared to the previous year and reached 2.993 million. The sharp rise in unemployment in January is typical, as many seasonal labor contracts end with the New Year and weather-dependent work, such as in construction, comes to a halt.
At the same time, German employers see the data released by the Federal Employment Agency as a worrying signal.
According to Rainer Dulger, president of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations of Germany, “the economic and structural weakness of the German economy is hitting the labor market with all its might.”
Ukrainian veterans will be able to undergo training in humanitarian demining in Serbia, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs has announced.
“The training will provide war veterans with knowledge of the intricacies of demining, familiarization with national standards of mine action, etc. During the training, war veterans will be able to acquire the necessary skills and certification, which will open up new career opportunities for them,” the ministry said in a statement following a meeting between Deputy Minister Yulia Kyrylova and Serbian Ambassador to Ukraine Andon Sapundji and representatives of the Serbian Demining Center.
It is noted that at the same time, such an initiative will help strengthen the national demining system, as experienced specialists will be able to work on the security of the liberated territories.
In addition, the Ministry of Veterans and the Mine Action Center of Serbia agreed to further establish cooperation in the training of demining specialists among war veterans.
In 2024, ARX (risk insurance) and ARX Life (life insurance) insurance companies paid almost UAH 1.8 billion to customers, which is 23% more than last year, of which ARX paid UAH 1.72 billion (+24.6%), according to a press release from the insurer.
In 2024, hull insurance payments amounted to almost UAH 1.02 billion, which is 22% more than in 2023, motor third party liability – UAH 164 million (+ 41% by 2023), VHI – UAH 307 million (+ 16%), property insurance – UAH 97 million (+ 69%).
Every day, the company paid out an average of almost UAH 6.6 million to customers.
As reported, the total premiums of ARX and ARX Life insurance companies in 2024 amounted to UAH 4.6 billion, which is 15% more than in 2023. The amount of premiums collected by ARX Insurance Company for hull insurance policies amounted to UAH 2.4 billion (+22% compared to 2023), for MTPL – UAH 535 million (+21%), and for property insurance – UAH 532.8 million (+20%).
The net profit of ARX and ARX Life last year amounted to almost UAH 520 million.
ARX is the first insurer in Ukraine to offer military risk coverage of up to UAH 100 million through a strategic agreement with DFC. Previously, the maximum coverage amount was UAH 20 million.
Kyiv and Ankara are interested in expanding bilateral trade and aim to increase mutual trade by more than 1.5 times – from $6.2 billion in 2024 to $10 billion, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko said after a meeting with Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat.
“Last year, imports from Ukraine to Turkey amounted to $2 billion, and the total trade volume between our countries reached $6.2 billion. The overall goal is to increase this figure to $10 billion, in particular, by expanding the already significant trade in agricultural products, as well as other sectors,” Svyrydenko wrote on social network X from Ankara.
“There was an exchange of ideas with our contractors on projects in the priority areas of Ukraine’s reconstruction. Our development of relations with Ukraine in every sphere will also be a driving force for us in rebuilding the country,” Bolat said in turn.
According to Svyrydenko, the two sides also discussed how Turkish companies can access financial instruments to support Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
She also thanked the minister for his decision to ensure maximum access for Ukrainian vessels to Turkish ports.
“In March, we expect a Turkish delegation to visit Ukraine to further deepen cooperation between our private sectors in rebuilding our country,” the First Deputy Prime Minister concluded.
According to the State Statistics Service, in 2024, exports from Ukraine to Turkey decreased by 6.8% compared to 2023, to $2.21 billion, while imports from Turkey decreased by 10.2%, to $4.24 billion. Turkey’s share in Ukraine’s exports of goods last year was 5.3%, and in imports – 6.0%. Only China, Poland, and Germany had a larger share.
The main items of Ukrainian exports to Turkey in 11 months of 2014 are cereals ($0.65 billion, +12.7% compared to 11 months of 2013), fats and oils – $0.35 billion (-56.1%), oilseeds – $0.22 billion (-31.8%), ferrous metals – $0.16 billion (+84.5%).
Over 11 months of 2014, Ukraine imported the most from Turkey: oil and mineral fuels – $0.55 billion (-7.7%), ferrous metals – $0.46 billion (+28.6%), electrical machinery – $0.23 billion (-9.3%), edible fruits and nuts – $0.20 billion (+17.7%), boilers, machinery – $0.20 billion (+3.3%).
