At the May 20 presentation of the Roadmap for integrating the dairy industry into the EU, Ukrainian processors stated the need to continue adapting to European standards, despite the complications of trade and the return of duties and quotas on Ukrainian products.
It was stated in an interview with Latifundist.com by Valentyn Zaporoshchuk, president of the PRAVIO and Proviant group of companies.
According to him, the Ichnya Dairy and Canning Plant has been operating in accordance with EU standards since 2016, but entering the European market has been hampered by bureaucratic barriers and customs restrictions for a long time. The situation changed after the start of a full-scale war, when the European Union opened duty-free trade for Ukraine.
Zaporoshchuk noted that in 2022–2025, Ukrainian producers were able to gain a foothold in European chains, particularly by cooperating with Lidl, Kaufland, and Aldi. At the same time, the return of duties, according to him, “threw the market back to 2016.”
He also emphasised that the Ukrainian dairy industry has only recently begun to modernise its production and actively adapt to EU requirements. Despite the difficult market conditions, companies continue to invest in increasing production efficiency and improving livestock conditions.
Commenting on the crisis in milk prices, Zaporoshchuk said a quick market recovery should not be expected. According to his forecast, low prices may persist next year, and only modern, efficient farms will survive.
At the same time, the industry emphasises that integration into the European market remains a strategic development direction for Ukrainian dairy processors.