In 2013, Ukraine exported dairy products totaling for 515,0 mln USD, and imported – for 241,5 mln USD. Thus, the balance of foreign trade in dairy products amounted to 273,5 mln USD and it is 14% less than the indicators of 2012. This information was given by the Association "Ukrainian Agribusiness Club” (UCAB).

Last year we could see the growth of imports for each sub-group of dairy products. Most increased imports of products with low content of milk, such as whey – in 2,4 times and totaled 34,4 thousand tons. Import of milk and not concentrated cream grew up by 62% and amounted to 6 thousand ton, butter – by 56% (up to 14 thousand tons), and cheese – by 13% (up 19,3 thousand tons). Belarus rapidly increased exports of its dairy products on Ukrainian market. Compare to 2012, when it imported to Ukraine dairy products amounted to 26,3 mln USD, last year Belarus has increased this figure by 58% - up to 41,5 mln USD.

As for export, in 2013, Ukraine reduced sales on foreign markets such products as milk and concentrated cream, and cheese but increased volumes of exports for butter, whey, milk and cream not concentrated.  Last year Ukraine exported 59 thousand tons of cheese, that is 13% less than the indicators of 2012.

“The reducing exports of cheese negatively reflected on the foreign trade balance of Ukraine, namely cheese had to the largest share in the value of exports of dairy products – around 70%” - says Alina Zharko, expert on agricultural markets of UCAB. Export of milk and concentrated cream decreased by 33% and amounted to 30 thousand tons. Significantly increased last year export of butter - up to 3,9 thousand tons, that in 5,7 times is higher of 2012. Exports of whey increased in 2013 by 40% and amounted to 34,4 thousand tons, and export of milk and whole cream grew by 29% - up to 7,6 thousand tons.

"So, last year in Ukraine continued the trend towards increasing imports of raw milk and finished products,  and reducing the total exports of dairy products in terms of milk. It was caused by increasing competition while purchasing raw milk on the domestic market and the increased procurement prices for milk, which in its turn increased the prime cost of domestic dairy products", - summarized Alina Zharko.