Despite the loss of capacity in eastern Ukraine, dairy production is not stopping — it is relocating to central and western regions.
This was stated by Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Vitalii Koval, during a conference.
According to him, 125 dairy farms are currently under construction or being modernized in Ukraine — a direct investment in the future.
The minister emphasized that the resilience of the dairy sector serves as an example for the entire economy, and that effective margin distribution between producers, processors, and retailers is not just an economic issue, but also one of trust.
"Only synergy between all stakeholders can produce the scale effect needed to create added value both domestically and for export. I’m grateful for the open and professional dialogue. It was a productive discussion that, I’m confident, will yield practical results for the industry. Pricing is key to fairness in the value chain," Koval stressed.
He also noted that the time has come to move from raw materials to finished products.
"One tonne of Ukrainian agri-exports is worth €291 on average. In the EU, that figure is €1,536. That’s the difference between a raw-material economy and a value-added one. Our goal is to ensure that livestock and processing account for more than 50% of the agricultural sector," added Vitalii Koval.
