Negative Trade Balance for Dairy Products in March Rises to $7.4 Million

In March 2026, the total volume of foreign trade in dairy products in Ukraine reached an impressive sum of $57.63 million. This figure is 16.5% higher than the results of the previous month, when trade volumes amounted to $49.55 million. This information was reported by the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine (SMPU), which conducts a detailed analysis of the situation in the dairy market.

According to SMPU data, dairy product exports in March increased by 15% compared to February, totaling $25.1 million, a significant improvement from $21.9 million in February. When compared to January figures, where exports stood at $18.0 million, the growth in March represents an impressive 39%. This indicates positive trends in the Ukrainian dairy sector, which continues to develop.

Imports of dairy products also showed growth, reaching $32.5 million, which is 17% more than in February. It is important to note that this figure exceeded the January level by 45%, when imports were $22.4 million. This suggests a growing demand for foreign dairy products in Ukraine, despite the efforts of domestic producers.

The balance of foreign trade in dairy products in March 2026 remained negative, amounting to -$7.4 million. In comparison, the deficit in February was -$5.8 million, while in January it was -$4.4 million. The export-to-import ratio in March was 0.77, showing a slight decrease from 0.79 in February and 0.81 in January. This indicates that imports continue to exceed exports, which may raise concerns among domestic producers.

The SMPU also highlighted changes in the value structure of exports over the year. The share of cheeses of all types increased from 19% to 24%, while the share of butter and other dairy fats decreased from 34% to 22%. In March, 35% of exports consisted of dry and condensed milk, 24% of cheeses of all types, and 22% of butter and other fats. This reflects a shift in consumer preferences and the adaptation of Ukrainian producers to new market conditions.

The structure of imports during the reporting period did not undergo significant changes, except for a slight decrease in the share of cheeses from 83.8% to 79.2%. At the same time, there was a noticeable increase in the share of whey, which rose from 1.0% to 5.6%. This may indicate a growing interest in dairy ingredients used in the food industry.

Thus, the March indicators of foreign trade in dairy products in Ukraine demonstrate both positive and negative trends. On one hand, the increase in exports suggests an improvement in the positions of Ukrainian producers in the international market; on the other hand, the rise in imports and the negative balance may raise concerns regarding the competitiveness of domestic products. In the future, it is crucial to continue monitoring these trends to support the development of the dairy industry in Ukraine.