According to the results of the first quarter of 2020, Ukraine exported dairy products totaling $ 44.7 million, which is 9.3% less than last year. At the same time, imports rose to $ 67.4 million (+ 167.5%).

In just 3 months of 2020, Ukraine became a net importer of dairy products, the Association of Dairy Producers (APM) said in a statement.

It is noted that the largest reduction in exports is noted in the oil trade, which decreased by 47.2% to 3.1 thousand tons. A failure in more than 39% occurred in the positions of whey and casein: up to 4.8 thousand tons and 402 t respectively.

“Cheeses also experienced a significant export drop: up to 1.2 thousand tons (-26.1%), condensed milk and cream – 4.4 thousand tons (-25.3%), non-condensed milk and cream – up to 4, 4 thousand tons (-25.3%). The group of fermented milk products experienced the smallest reduction in export supplies, but the decline was also significant: 9.8%, to 1.3 thousand tons. The only group of dairy products that showed an increase in exports was ice cream – 12.1% to 1.3 thousand. . t, ​​”the report said.

Analysts note that a critical drop in exports began last year due to a number of problems in the dairy industry, as well as a serious strengthening of the national currency. At the same time, due to the latter factor and a decrease in import duties on dairy products, importers of dairy products have significantly intensified. In the new year, the problems that remained were joined by the coronavirus pandemic, low oil prices and a global recession. Interestingly, the global quarantine and transnational logistical restrictions, it turns out, did not prevent Ukraine from continuing to increase the import of dairy products, which is observed for all groups of dairy products.

“In the new year, oil imports are most striking, reaching 2.8 thousand tons, and growth compared to the same period last year amounted to 1223%. The sky-high figures are also demonstrated by imports of milk and cream of non-condensed milk – 626% (up to 2.8 thousand tons) and casein – 427% (up to 58 tons). The increase in imports of cheese (by 152% to 10.2 thousand tons), dried and condensed milk (by 119% to 1 thousand tons), whey (by 119%, to 1.2 thousand tons), ice cream (by 64.3%, up to 46 tons), groups of fermented milk products (27.9% up to 1.8 thousand tons), ”the association notes.

According to the APM, the entire last year saw a monthly non-stop drop in the positive trade balance, and by the end of 2019, the balance of imports and exports of dairy products was zero. Today, Ukraine already has a negative balance in the trade in dairy products, which amounts to $ 22.7 million.

“In just three months of the new year, Ukraine has become a net importer of dairy products,” analysts say.