The share of imported cheeses on the Ukrainian market in 2025 has grown from 38% to 45% and continues to increase. If the situation does not change, Ukrainian producers will have less than half of the market by March-April 2026, according to the Ukrainian Dairy Industry Association (UDIA).
“The current trend in the cheese market poses a threat to Ukraine’s food security and requires an immediate response from the government. If, for political reasons, anti-subsidy investigations against EU producers, primarily Poland, have no prospects, it is worth focusing on intensifying state support for Ukrainian producers,” said Arsen Didur, executive director of the UDAU.
The industry association noted that imports of rennet cheese to Ukraine last year increased by 13% compared to 2024, to 32.9 thousand tons, in particular, 15.8 thousand tons (+14%) of hard cheese were imported.
The SMU sent a proposal to the government to increase compensation under the National Cashback program for Ukrainian-produced cheese from 10% to 20%. At the same time, it is proposed to reduce or cancel compensation for other dairy products that do not face such fierce competition from imports.
As reported, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture Oleksiy Sobolev announced in January that in 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers would reduce funding for the National Cashback program. As of February 2026, the state budget allocates UAH 3 billion for this program, compared to UAH 5.7 billion a year ago. Therefore, the government plans to move to targeted support for critically important industries.
In 2025, Ukraine imported 93.2% more cabbage than a year earlier, amounting to 48.41 thousand tons, while procurement costs increased by 86.1% to $44.90 million, according to the State Customs Service.
The main suppliers of cabbage were North Macedonia (31.29%), Poland (24.05%), and the Netherlands (13.79%).
In 2025, Ukraine imported 123,600 tons of potatoes, which is 2.4 times more than in 2024; the cost of purchasing them increased 2.5 times to $66.29 million, according to the State Customs Service.
Poland (37.1%), Egypt (13.56%), and the Netherlands (11.58%) became the leaders in potato supplies to Ukraine.
In 2025, Ukraine imported 12.85 thousand tons of cut flowers, which is 8.5% more than in 2024 (11.84 thousand tons), according to the State Customs Service.
According to the published statistics, in monetary terms, the volume of imports last year increased by 14.2% to $64.48 million, compared to $56.46 million a year ago.
The Netherlands remains the undisputed leader in supplies, providing almost three-quarters of the Ukrainian market, or 72.4% of supplies in monetary terms, or $46.68 million. Ecuador (12.8%, or $8.25 million) and Kenya (6.2%, or $4.00 million) also lead in flower supplies to Ukraine. In 2024, this trio remained the same with similar shares of supplies: the Netherlands (71.1%), Ecuador (13.5%), and Kenya (5.8%).
Flower exports from Ukraine in 2025 remained symbolic, amounting to only $184,000 at the end of the year, which is 12.5% less than in 2024 ($210,000). The main buyers of Ukrainian flowers were Moldova (59% or $108,600), Georgia (23% or $42,300), and Lithuania (10% or $18,400). A year ago, the composition of the top three buyers was slightly different: Moldova was also the leader (58% or $121,800), but it was followed by Poland (17% or $35,700) and Lithuania (12% or $25,200).
As reported, in 2021, Ukraine introduced a special three-year duty on imports of cut fresh roses, regardless of the country of origin and export. The duty rate in the first year of its application was 56%, in the second — 44.8%, and in the third — 35.84%.
Based on the results of the duty’s impact provided by the Ministry of Economy, the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade (ICIT) concluded in 2025 that the application of special measures had a positive effect on the activities of domestic producers, but did not completely eliminate the consequences of the damage caused to them. Recommendations to extend the duty were forwarded to the ministry.
In 2025, Ukraine imported $89.54 million worth of vegetables used in borscht, including carrots, beets, cabbage, and onions, and $164.36 million worth of potatoes.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS), Ukraine increased its imports of onions by 2.4 times in 2025, to 43,180 tons. The purchase cost $22.66 million, which is 2.6 times more than the $8.61 million spent in 2024. The top three suppliers of onions to Ukraine were China and Egypt, which accounted for 21.2% and 17.44% of imports, amounting to $4.80 million and $3.95 million, respectively. The Netherlands rounded out the top three with a 16.33% share ($3.70 million).
During this period, Ukraine imported 68.9% more cabbage than last year — 45.66 thousand tons versus 27.03 thousand tons, respectively. The cost of purchasing it increased by 62.3% and amounted to $34.31 million (compared to $21.14 million in 2024). The main suppliers were Poland (27.45% of supplies worth $9.42 million), Macedonia (22.96% worth $7.88 million), and the Netherlands (14.48% worth $4.97 million).
Ukraine increased its imports of carrots, beets, and celery by 4.9 times in 2025, to 48,010 tons (compared to 9,850 tons in 2024). USD 32.57 million was spent on these needs, which is 5.1 times more than in 2024 (USD 6.37 million). Last year, the main suppliers of these root vegetables to Ukraine were Poland, Moldova, and the Netherlands, which accounted for 46.31%, 12.9%, and 11.54% of the imported volume, respectively. In monetary terms, they earned $15.08 million, $4.20 million, and $3.76 million from these supplies, respectively.
As reported, Ukraine imported 138.41 thousand tons of potatoes in 2025, which is 5.3 times more than in 2024. In monetary terms, potato imports increased 4.9 times, to $74.82 million, compared to $15.21 million a year ago.
In total, Ukraine imported 275.26 thousand tons of vegetables for borscht in 2025.
Imports of vegetables for borscht to Ukraine (2025 vs. 2024)
Data: State Customs Service
Ukraine increased cucumber imports by 46.3% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching 70,820 tons, according to the State Customs Service.
In monetary terms, cucumber imports grew by 38.8% to $89.14 million.
The largest suppliers of cucumbers to Ukraine in 2025 were Turkey (83.5% in monetary terms), Romania (7.6%), and Poland (4.6%). A year earlier, the top three were Turkey (73.6%), Poland (11.8%), and Romania (4.9%).
As reported, in July 2025, Ukraine introduced anti-dumping duties on imports of fresh cucumbers from Turkey at a rate of 20.1% for a period of five years.
