Prices for dairy products in Ukraine rose in March 2026 due to increased logistics costs, higher energy prices, and a surge in exports, according to the Association of Milk Producers (AMP).
The industry association noted that pasteurized milk with a fat content of up to 2.6% in film packaging rose in price by 0.99 UAH (+2.1%) over the month—to 48.86 UAH/kg, while the price in plastic bottles rose by 0.93 UAH (+1.4%) to 66.86 UAH/kg. The cheapest milk in the category remains the “Adalis” brand (41.99 UAH/kg), while the most expensive are ‘Yagotynske’ (57.77 UAH/kg) and “Galychyna” (72.73 UAH/kg).
Kefir with 2.5% fat content in film packaging costs an average of 58.52 UAH/kg, which is 1.62 UAH less than a month ago. Meanwhile, the price of the product in plastic bottles remained stable at 78.10 UAH/kg. Sour cream with 15% fat content in cups rose in price by 0.72 UAH to 190.59 UAH/kg, while drinking yogurt increased in price by 3.5% and costs an average of 124.35 UAH/kg. Sour milk cheese with 9% fat content rose in price by 1% to 292.31 UAH/kg.
Domestically produced butter (72.5–73%) rose in price by 2% to 585.51 UAH/kg. Analysts noted that imported President butter costs 960 UAH/kg, which is 64% more expensive than Ukrainian products.
“Ukrainian” cheese (50%) rose in price to 608.80 UAH/kg, and “Dutch” cheese (45%) to 610.05 UAH/kg (+3.3%). The most significant increase was recorded for “Maasdam” cheese, which rose in price by 6.6% to 768.37 UAH/kg. Meanwhile, imported equivalents of ‘Maasdam’ and “Gouda” from the Kroon brand cost 31% less than domestic products.
ABM analysts also attribute the rise in costs to the situation in the Persian Gulf, which caused a spike in prices for petroleum products and freight.
“Domestic sales of locally produced dairy products should be boosted by the government’s support for Draft Law No. 6068-d on countering unfair trade practices by retail chains and the implementation of protective measures against the significantly increasing imports of dairy products. We need to combat the gray import of dairy products into Ukraine. Food for humanitarian aid packages and other government purposes should be purchased exclusively from domestic producers,” the ABM emphasized.
According to the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UAC), Ukraine exported 5.5 million tons of agricultural products in March 2026, a 10.8% increase from the previous month, the organization reported on Facebook.
According to the report, following four months of stable shipments, an increase in exports was observed across all product categories in March. Specifically, grain exports rose by 7% compared to February, totaling 3.7 million tons. In the structure of grain exports, corn accounted for 75%, wheat for 24%, and barley for 1%.
Exports of oilseeds increased by 12% to 338,800 tons (soybeans – 58%, rapeseed – 40%, sunflower seeds – 1%). Supplies of vegetable oils rose by 16% to 506,800 tons, with sunflower oil accounting for 84%, soybean oil for 9%, and rapeseed oil for 7%. Exports of oilseed meal after oil extraction rose by 15% to 542,600 tons (sunflower meal – 73%, soybean meal – 27%). Other agricultural products demonstrated the highest growth rate (+32%), with sales totaling 474,800 tons.
“In the coming months, we expect at least stable shipments, if not an increase in grain exports. There are three months left until the start of the new marketing year, and there are still sufficient volumes intended for export, which threatens the formation of carryover stocks,” the association reported.
“An increase in exports is observed across all product categories following four months of steady shipments,” the UCAB noted, adding that the increase in shipments is critically important for freeing up storage capacity ahead of the new season.
In the soybean segment of Ukraine’s oil and fat industry, positive trends continue in the 2025/26 marketing year in terms of both physical volumes and foreign exchange revenue, according to the Ukroliyaprom association.
According to the association’s data, from September to February of the current season, foreign exchange revenue from soybean oil exports rose by 19.3% compared to the same period of the previous marketing year.
Revenue from soybean meal exports for the same period increased by 21%, while physical volumes of meal shipments rose by 38%.
The association attributes the growth in the soybean segment to increased domestic processing and the industry’s overall shift toward higher-value-added products.
“Ukroliyaprom” notes that it was precisely the increase in soybean and rapeseed processing that helped the industry mitigate the effects of the decline in sunflower yields and maintain stable operations at processing facilities.
According to the association, oil and fat products account for 34.4%, or $7.737 billion, of Ukraine’s agricultural and food exports totaling $22.515 billion, confirming their systemic role in the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Rapeseed oil exports from Ukraine in July–February of the 2025/26 marketing year increased 2.2-fold compared to the same period last season, while foreign exchange earnings rose 2.7-fold, according to the Ukroliyaprom association.
The association also reported a sharp increase in the rapeseed meal segment. Over the first eight months of the season, exports of rapeseed meal increased 2.3-fold, while foreign exchange revenue rose by 85%.
Ukroliyaprom views this trend as evidence of the industry’s strategic shift from exporting raw materials to selling products with higher added value.
According to the association’s assessment, it was the increase in rapeseed processing, along with soybeans, that made it possible to offset the shortage of sunflower seeds and maintain oilseed processing plants’ capacity utilization at a stable level.
At the same time, the industry continues to operate under difficult conditions. Among the main risks, the association cites restrictions on energy supply, risks to exports via seaports, and the vulnerability of rail logistics.
Overall, oil and fat products remain one of the key items in Ukrainian exports. According to Ukroliyaprom, they account for 19.2% of total goods exports, or $7.737 billion.
Ukrainian oil and fat industry companies expect sunflower oil exports to decline by 6.4% in the 2025/26 marketing year—to 4.4 million tons from 4.7 million tons the previous season, according to the UkroliyaProm association.
According to the association’s estimates, sunflower oil production this season will also decline by 10%—to 4.6 million tons, down from 5.1 million tons in the previous marketing year.
The association explained that the decline in the sunflower segment is linked to the lowest sunflower yield in the past 10 years, which fell by 16.8%, as well as a 7.8% reduction in harvested acreage.
At the same time, despite the decrease in physical shipment volumes, foreign exchange revenue from sunflower oil exports is growing thanks to higher global prices.
According to data from the National Scientific Center “Institute of Agricultural Economics,” the profitability of sunflowers in 2025 stood at 54.7%, which remains one of the highest indicators among agricultural crops and is second only to rye at 56.4%.
Ukroliyaprom emphasized that additional pressure on the industry is being exerted by energy capacity constraints due to shelling of critical infrastructure, threats to the operation of deep-water ports, and attacks on the railway network, which is vital for exports to EU countries.
The introduction of a 10% export duty on soybeans and rapeseed will reduce the profitability of these crops, leading to a 30% reduction in soybean acreage in 2026, experts from the American Chamber of Commerce (ACC) reported during a press briefing in Kyiv.
“Our forecasts indicate a possible 30% reduction in soybean acreage compared to the previous season. The export duty acts as an economic barrier, making the cultivation of this crop less attractive to producers. Farmers won’t take losses every year—if the financial result is negative, they’ll simply change their crop mix,” the experts explained.
The business association noted that under normal conditions, corn could be an alternative, but currently its investment appeal is also in question due to rising production costs.
“Prices for fuel and fertilizers have risen significantly, particularly due to the escalation of the situation surrounding Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This significantly increases farmers’ costs for growing corn, which, combined with the low profitability of oilseeds due to tariffs (on soybeans and rapeseed – IF-U), puts farmers in a difficult position ahead of the spring planting season,” the briefing participants emphasized.
Experts expressed confidence that if regulatory policy does not change, there is a risk that farmers will abandon rapeseed and soybean cultivation in the long term. This will lead to domestic processors, who lobbied for the introduction of tariffs to obtain cheap raw materials, eventually facing a physical shortage of those materials due to reduced production.
As reported, pursuant to Law No. 4536-IX of July 16, 2025, a 10% export duty on rapeseed and soybeans was introduced in Ukraine effective September 4, 2025. The document provides for a gradual reduction of the rate by 1% annually, starting January 1, 2030, to 5% by 2035. At the same time, the law includes a preferential regime for direct producers and cooperatives, who are exempt from paying the duty when exporting their own-grown products.
