Despite continued attacks on Ukrainian farms by the Russians, Ukraine’s dairy industry is recuperating by building 125 new dairy farms. The 125 farms are either being newly constructed, or are existing farms undergoing total modernization, with the goal of preparing for European Union integration and boosting production of dairy produce in the country. Shelling of farms continues mainly in the eastern regions, so the new farms are concentrated in central and western areas.
Speaking at the recent Dairy Industry: Ukraine-EU conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, Vitalii Koval – Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food – said Ukraine is currently constructing and modernizing 125 dairy farms despite challenges posed by the ongoing conflict.
Discussing the trends for agriculture production in Ukraine going forward, Koval highlighted that livestock and processing should account for more than 50 percent of Ukraine’s agricultural sector, but ensuring there was fair profit distribution among producers, processors and retailers. With Ukraine most likely to become an EU member soon, its dairy industry is shaping up to integrate into European production methods and comply with regulations.
As a result of the Russian war, in 2024 dairy farmers in Ukraine experienced issues with energy supply, a decrease in cow numbers and other logistical problems. The result was dairy production decreased to 7.2 million tonnes from 8.1 million tonnes in 2023.
Ukrainian dairy producers have long focused on European markets, but cooperation with the EU opens new prospects for growth, improving product quality and expanding export opportunities. In 2024, about 30 percent of Ukraine’s exported dairy products went to EU countries, the main ones being Poland, Bulgaria and the Baltic countries.
According to Olena Zhupinas, Deputy CEO and Head of Processing Cooperation Projects at the Association of Milk Producers in Ukraine, the dairy industry is recovering after the effects of the Russian war.
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