Imports of cheese to Ukraine in 2020 increased from 23,700 tonnes to 46,700 tonnes compared to the previous year, and in dollar terms from $ 108.9 million to $ 210.5 million, the State Customs Service has said.
According to its data, at the same time, export of cheese from Ukraine decreased to 6,300 tonnes for $ 24.4 million, or 11.3% and 8.9%, respectively, compared to 2019.
The drop in butter exports was also significant last year – to 11,200 tonnes for $ 48.7 million, or 38.6% and 36.8%, respectively, with a sharp increase in imports. It increased almost threefold, to 10,000 tonnes in natural terms and almost 2.5 times in dollar terms, to $ 40.6 million.
In addition, in 2020 import of milk and cream increased sharply, to 12,900 tonnes worth $ 11.6 million: the jump was 3.6 times and 3.3 times, respectively. Export of milk and cream from Ukraine decreased by a quarter, to 18,600 tonnes in natural terms and by 21.6% in dollar terms, to $ 12 million.
In 2020, imports of condensed milk also increased, to 6,100 tonnes worth $ 11.6 million, or 2.4 times. At the same time, exports amounted to 27,400 tonnes for $ 55 million, having decreased by 23.4% and 27.1%, respectively.
Ukraine exported 4,800 tonnes of cheese in January-October 2020, which is 19.5% less than in the same period in 2019.
According to the State Customs Service, in monetary terms, exports decreased by 15.9% and amounted to $18.47 million.
At the same time, import of cheese in the first 10 months of 2020 increased by 2.2 times, to 38,040 tonnes, in monetary terms by 2.1 times, to $168.62 million.
Exports of Ukrainian butter decreased 41.2%, to 9,360 tonnes, and in monetary terms also 41.2%, to $40.82 million. Import of this product in the reporting period amounted to 9,330 tonnes ($36.94 million) versus 1,990 tonnes ($10.12 million) in January-October 2019.
According to the ministry, export of milk and cream (condensed) in the first 10 months of 2020 decreased 27.1%, to 23,870 tonnes. Ukraine supplied condensed milk and cream for a total of $48.18 million, which is 30.8% less than in January-October last year. Import of this group of goods increased 2.9-fold, to 5,330 tonnes, in monetary terms by three times, to $12.06 million.
Ukraine exported 4,060 tonnes of cheese in January-September 2020, which is 21.1% less than in the same period in 2019.
According to the State Customs Service, in monetary terms, exports decreased by 16.3% and amounted to $15.61 million.
At the same time, import of cheese in the first nine months of 2020 increased by 2.3 times, to 33,740 tonnes, in monetary terms by 2.2 times, to $148.86 million.
Exports of Ukrainian butter decreased 43.7%, to 8,540 tonnes, and in monetary terms 40.5%, to $37.43 million. Import of this product in the reporting period amounted to 9,010 tonnes ($35.38 million) against 1,330 tonnes ($7.19 million) in January-September 2019.
According to the ministry, export of milk and cream (condensed) in the first nine months of 2020 decreased 30.3%, to 21,540 tonnes. Ukraine supplied condensed milk and cream for a total of $43.6 million, which is 33.5% less than in January-September last year. Import of this group of goods increased 3.2-fold, to 4,870 tonnes, in monetary terms by 3.3 times, to $10.95 million.
Ukraine exported 1,650 tonnes of cheese in January-April 2020, which is 31.7% less than in the same period in 2019.
According to the State Customs Service, in monetary terms exports decreased by 26.4% and amounted to $6.38 million.
The import of cheese grew 2.4 times, to 13,110 tonnes, in money terms 2.2 times, to $57.86 million for the first four months of 2020.
The export of Ukrainian butter decreased by 44.5%, to 4,130 tonnes, in money terms by 37.5%, to $19.18 million. The import of this product amounted to 4,120 tonnes ($16.89 million) in the reporting period against 377 tonnes ($2.33 million) in January-April 2019.
According to the service, the export of milk and cream (condensed) decreased by 34.2%, to 6,490 tonnes for the first four months of 2020. Ukraine supplied condensed milk and cream totaling $13.9 million, which is 29.5% lower than in January-April 2019. The import of this group of goods grew 2.2 times, to 1,410 tonnes, in money terms by 2.5 times, to $3.3 million.
Ukraine in January-March 2020 exported 1,210 tonnes of cheese, which is 26.5% less than in the same period in 2019.
According to the State Customs Service, in monetary terms exports decreased by 20.3% and amounted to $4.67 million.
The import of cheese in the first quarter of 2020 grew by 2.5 times, to 10,210 tonnes, in monetary terms 2.4 times, to $45.2 million.
Export of Ukrainian butter decreased by 47.4%, to 3,100 tonnes, in money terms by 39.3%, to $14.48 million. Import of the products in the reporting period amounted to 2,790 tonnes ($12.03 million) compared to 211 tonnes ($1.44 million) for the first quarter of 2019.
According to the service, the export of milk and cream (condensed) decreased by 25.3%, to 4,450 tonnes in the first three months of 2020. Ukraine supplied condensed milk and cream for a total of $10 million, which is 11.8% lower than in January-March 2019. Imports of the goods grew by 2.2 times, to 1,030 tonnes, in money terms 2.5 times, to $2.39 million.
Ukraine could limit imports of cheese from the European Union (EU) over almost doubled increase in supplies of cheese in 2019 and due to growth of smuggling, Deputy Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Minister of Ukraine, Taras Kachka, who is also the Trade Representative of Ukraine, has said.
“I’m very annoyed by the situation with the sharp increase in imports of cheeses and generally dairy products from the EU to Ukraine, even smuggling… To stop this, we can take very brutal steps. For example, safeguard measures against the import of cheeses into Ukraine,” Kachka said in an interview with Yevropeiska Pravda (European Truth) ezine.
He said that the sharp increase in imports of these products negatively affects Ukrainian producers.
“If our manufacturers make such a request, it is very likely [that such a scenario will be implemented],” the trade representative said.
“But this is a negative scenario, which can be avoided through greater coordination and greater support for each other. This coordination is much more important to me now in relations with the EU than the revision of tariff quotas,” he said.
