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.
Ukraine in January 2020 exported 330 tonnes of cheese, which is 27.4% less than in January 2019. According to the State Customs Service, in monetary terms exports amounted to $1.2 million, which is 19.9% less than in January 2019.
At the same time, cheese imports in January 2020 increased 2.4 times, to 2,770 tonnes. In monetary terms, imports increased 2.2 times compared to January 2019, to $12.35 million.
In January 2020, export of butter from Ukraine decreased by 58.3%, to 743 tonnes, in money terms by 50%, to $3.49 million. According to the State Customs Service, import of this product increased 11.3 times, to 1,020 tonnes ($4.52 million).
In addition, export of milk and cream (condensed) in January 2020 fell by 24.4%, to 1,630 tonnes. In January 2020, Ukraine supplied condensed milk and cream for a total of $3.69 million (the same as in January 2019). Imports of this group of goods grew by 37.1%, to 229 tonnes ($507,000).
Ukraine in January-December 2019 exported 7,190 tonnes of cheese, which is 13.8% less than in 2018.
According to the State Customs Service, in monetary terms exports amounted to $26.88 million, which is 12.7% less than in 2018.
At the same time, cheese imports in 2019 increased by 1.7 times, to 23,720 tonnes. In monetary terms, imports increased by 1.6 times compared to 2018, to $108.87 million.
Last year, export of butter from Ukraine decreased by 1.7 times, to 18,280 tonnes, in money terms also by 1.7 times, to $77.1 million. According to the State Customs Service, import of this product increased by 3.1 times, to 3,410 tonnes, in money terms by 2.2 times, to $16.46 million.
In addition, export of milk and cream (condensed) in 2019 rose by 0.9%, to 35,810 tonnes. In January-December 2019, Ukraine supplied condensed milk and cream for a total of $76.22 million (29.1% more compared to 2018). Imports of this group of goods grew by 8.8%, to 2,560 tonnes, in monetary terms by 1.2%, to $5.78 million.
Ukraine in January-November 2019 exported 6,470 tonnes of cheese, which is 15.8% less than in the same period in 2018.
According to customs statistics released by the State Fiscal Service, in monetary terms exports amounted to $23.89 million, which is 16.3% less than the figure for the eleven months of 2018.
At the same time, cheese imports in January-November 2019 amounted to 20,510 tonnes, which is 1.7 times more than the figure for the same period in 2018. In monetary terms, imports rose by 1.6 times, to $93.76 million.
Ukraine in January-October 2019 exported 5,960 tonnes of cheese, which is 14% less than in the same period in 2018.
According to customs statistics released by the State Fiscal Service, in monetary terms exports amounted to $21.97 million, which is 14.7% less than the figure for the ten months of 2018.
At the same time, cheese imports in January-October 2019 amounted to 17,660 tonnes, which is 1.7 times more than the figure for the same period in 2018. In monetary terms, imports rose by 1.6 times, to $81.04 million.
Export of butter from Ukraine in January-October of this year decreased by 37.5%, to 16,320 tonnes, in money terms by 37.5%, to $67.94 million. Import of this product, according to the service, rose by 2.3 times, to 1,990 tonnes ($10.12 million).
In January-October, export of milk and cream (condensed) rose by 2.2%, to 32,740 tonnes. Ukraine supplied condensed milk and cream for a total of $69.63 million, which is 31.7% more than in January-October 2018. Imports of this group of goods decreased by 4%, to 1,810 tonnes ($3.99 million).
Ukraine in January-August 2019 exported 4,340 tonnes of cheese, which is 19.5% less than in the same period in 2018.
According to customs statistics released by the State Fiscal Service, in monetary terms exports amounted to $15.64 million, which is 22% less than the figure for the eight months of 2018.
At the same time, cheese imports in January-August 2019 amounted to 12,500 tonnes, which is 1.6 times more than the figure for the same period in 2018. In monetary terms, imports rose by 49.5%, to $57.27 million.
Export of butter from Ukraine in January-August of this year decreased by 34.3%, to 14,100 tonnes, in money terms by 37.2%, to $58.1 million. Import of this product, according to the service, rose by 33%, to 950 tonnes ($5.28 million).
In January-August, export of milk and cream (condensed) rose by 9.5%, to 29,170 tonnes. Ukraine supplied condensed milk and cream for a total of $61.85 million against $43.77 million in January-August 2018. Imports of this group of goods decreased by 6.6%, to 1,330 tonnes ($2.91 million).
