THE EVOLUTION AND CHALLENGES OF UKRAINE’S DAIRY SECTOR IN THE CONTEXT OF EU ACQUIS ADAPTATION

Yevhen Ivanov

doi:10.32999/ksu2307-8030/2026-58-4

Yevhen Ivanov https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8076-4374

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32999/ksu2307-8030/2026-58-4

Keywords: dairy processing, milk production, cow population, industrial farms, EU acquis

Abstract

The article looks into the current trends shaping milk production and the broader dairy industry in Ukraine, offering a comprehensive analysis of the sector’s dynamic transformation. It examines the major structural shifts in production patterns, including changes in farm sizes, technological adoption, and the growing concentration of market players, which are reshaping the competitive landscape. The study further reveals the latest trends in the production of dairy products, as well as the evolving patterns of foreign trade, with a dedicated focus on trade relations with the European Union. By identifying the key problems and inherent weaknesses of the dairy sector, the article highlights the critical barriers to growth and competitiveness. Finally, it outlines the principal challenges confronting Ukraine’s dairy sector and milk production as the country progresses toward aligning its national legislation with the EU acquis.

References

1. Mirzoieva, T., Mykolenko, I., Stepasyuk, L., Gutsul, T., & Solop, A. (2025). Methodological aspects of economic study of the dairy market. Economics and Business Management, no. 16(3), pp. 112–128. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31548/economics/3.2025.112
2. Pashchenko, O., Zharikova, O., Lymar, O., & Alexandrov, D. (2024). Milk production trends in Ukraine. Economics and Business Management, no. 15(3), pp. 39–57. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31548/economics/3.2024.39
3. Harastovska, A., Pіetukhova О. (2024). Stan I tendentsii rozvytku molochnoi haluzi Ukrainy [Conditions and development trends of the dairy industry in Ukraine]. Naukovi pratsi NUKhT – Scientific Works of NUFT, no. 30(3), pp. 48–60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24263/2225-2924-2024-30-3-6 (in Ukrainian)
4. Tulush, L., Hryshchenko, O., & Strikhovskyi, D. (2023). Trends in the development of dairy farming and its state financial support in Ukraine. Ekonomika APK, no. 30(5), pp. 33–45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32317/2221-1055.202305033
5. Zapirchenko, L., Buhaieva, M., & Zbarzhevetska, A. (2022) World and Domestic Trends in the Production of Dairy Products. Central Ukrainian Scientific Bulletin. Economic Sciences, no. 8(41), pp. 20–27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32515/2663-1636.2022.8(41).20-27
6. FAO (2025). Dairy Market Review: Overview of global market developments in 2024. Rome. Available at: https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/dea8246a-7374-48a2-884d-5c9d6992faa6
7. Ukrstat (2026). Production of livestock products, the number of farm animals and their fodder supply. Available at: https://stat.gov.ua/en/datasets/production-livestock-products-number-farm-animals-and-their-fodder-supply-monthly
8. Litvinov, V. (2025). Eurointegration 2.0: The Ukrainian Dairy Sector. Kyiv: Kyiv School of Economics, Center for Food and Land Use Research. Available at: https://kse.ua/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Eurointegration-2.0.-The-Ukrainian-Dairy-Sector.pdf
9. Ukrstat (2026). Performance indicators of enterprises: Number of active enterprises. Available at: https://stat.gov.ua/en/datasets/performance-indicators-enterprises
10. Ukrstat (2026). Indicators of short-term statistics of production of industrial products by types: Index of industrial production. Available at: https://stat.gov.ua/en/explorer?urn=SSSU%3ADF_IND_SHORT_STAT_INDUSTR_PROD%28~%29&filter=INDX_IND_PROD
11. UN Comtrade (2026). Trade data. Available at. https://comtradeplus.un.org/
12. UDEU (2026). Zovnishnia torhivlia molokoproduktamy: sichen-hruden 2025 proty sichnia-hrudnia 2024 [Foreign trade in dairy products: January-December 2025 vs. January-December 2024]. Available at: https://uadairy.com/zovnishnya-torgivlya-molokoproduktamy-sichen-gruden-2025-proty-sichnya-grudnya-2024 (in Ukrainian).
13. FAO (2026). Markets and Trade: FAO Dairy Price Index. Available at: https://www.fao.org/markets-and-trade/commodities-overview/basic-foods/fao-dairy-price-index/en
14. Movchan, V., Giucci, R. (2025). New EU tariff rate quotas for Ukrainian products: effect on exports. Available at: https://www.german-economic-team.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GET_UKR_PS_03_2025.pdf
15. European Commission (2026). EU Dairy Trade: Monthly trade data. Available at: https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/extensions/DashboardDairy/DairyTrade.html