Last week, 17-19 Nov, our Ukrainian delegation of dairy business and NGOs that support the Ukrainian dairy sector, including the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine #SMPU, Association of Milk Producers of Ukraine and Ukrainian Agribusiness Club Association (UCAB), completed a study tour ‘ Dutch dairy sector’.

The trip was made possible thanks to the support of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, and especially the #LVVN team at the #DutchEmbassy in #Ukraine (Carolien Spaans 🙌 ), and took place within the framework of the #EUintegration of the Ukrainian dairy sector.

We were warmly welcomed by colleagues from the Ministry (LVVN), ZuivelNL/Nederlandse Zuivel Organisatie – NZO (Dutch Dairy Association), LTO and Royal GD Animal Health. The program was dense and highly practical.

Our delegation visited key companies and farms in the Dutch dairy sector to learn about cooperation, sustainability, and innovative business models. These included FrieslandCampina, Wantenaar Farm, the historic D’e Staelenhoef farm and cheese dairy, where we gained insight into small-scale processing and successful local marketing.

During our meetings with Rabobank, #Agrifirm, and the Agrifood Platform Ukraine, we exchanged views on cooperation in Ukraine’s agricultural reconstruction. It was interesting to visit the ElkeMelk company, which showcased a unique concept of bottling milk from each cow, as well as the Camel Dairy Farm. The tour concluded at Schouten Farm, where robotic milking and a popular farm shop showcase modern dairy farming practices close to urban communities.

We are grateful to our Dutch colleagues for the warm welcome and valuable insights into the Netherlands’ dairy system (Annemarie Pruijn-de Ceuster and Dorieke Goodijk-Smits). More highlights from the tour — in the following posts.