Ukraine exported 2.082 thousand tons of cheese in January-March 2023, which is 2.04 times more than during the same period of 2022. According to customs statistics, in monetary terms, exports were $10.212 million, which is 2.3 times more than a year earlier.
At the same time, the volume of cheese imports was 24.9% less – 7.084 thousand tons in January-March this year. In monetary terms, imports decreased by 8.5% to $43.520 million compared to the same period in 2022.
In this case, the main export of cheese was carried out in Kazakhstan (54.17% of supplies in monetary terms), Moldova (23.86%) and Jordan (5.39%), imports – from Poland (42.39%), Germany (21.23%) and the Netherlands (8.96%).
Ukraine imported 33.818 thousand tons of cheese in 2022 (a decrease of 38.7% compared to 2021), while exporting 8.989 thousand tons (an increase of 29.8%). Exports of butter rose by 29.9% to 14.104 thousand tons last year, while imports fell by 8.21 times to 1.128 thousand tons. Exports of milk and cream (condensed) amounted to 26.696 thousand tons (+19%), while imports – 1.214 thousand tons (a 6.4-fold decrease).
Cheese makers in central and western Ukraine meet the current needs of Ukrainians in cheese, since demand for it is limited due to the departure of consumers from the occupied and frontline territories and abroad, according to the website of the analytical agency Infagro.
“Cheese logistics are getting better, chains have partially resumed direct deliveries to stores, despite the non-working shopping and entertainment centers in many regions. The shelves of working stores have almost been freed from imported assortment. Relatively good sales are in western Ukraine, where migrants have moved,” the message says.
According to the agency, in March prices for Ukrainian cheese did not change compared to February this year.
It is specified that the export of Ukrainian cheese this month will be quite insignificant, only Moldova is available for domestic supplies.
At the same time, cheese imports to Ukraine in February were still significant, 3,600 tonnes were purchased, of which 1,500 tonnes of hard/semi-hard and 600 tonnes of processed cheese.
“Now most of the cheese brought in February has either been sold out or stuck somewhere in distribution warehouses. Most likely, cheese will be brought from Europe as humanitarian aid,” the agency summed up in the message.
Exports of cheese from Ukraine in January 2021 in kind increased 24.2% compared to January 2020, to 410 tonnes.
According to the State Customs Service, the export of cheese in monetary terms amounted to $1.43 million last month, which is 19.1% more than in January 2020.
At the same time, the volume of cheese imports to Ukraine in January did not change, remaining at the level of 2,800 tonnes, and in monetary terms increased by 8.3%, to $13.38 million.
Exports of Ukrainian butter in January 2021 decreased 7.9% compared to January 2020, to 684 tonnes, and in monetary terms it fell by 15%, to $2.96 million. Imports of these products decreased 42%, to 585 tonnes ($2.74 million).
According to the ministry, the export of milk and cream (condensed) in January 2021 increased 18.4% compared to January 2020, to 1,930 tonnes, and in monetary terms it grew by 12% to $4.14 million, while imports of this group of goods doubled, to 470 tonnes ($1.14 million).
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.
