In April 2026, Ukraine reduced its milk product exports to 10,750 tons, accompanied by a decline in butter prices on international markets. According to the State Statistics Service, the export volume in monetary terms amounted to 31.44 million dollars. Compared to March of this year, the natural export volume decreased by 14%, while revenue fell by 11%.
This is reported by Finway
“In April 2026, 10,750 tons of milk products worth 31.44 million dollars were exported. The natural export volumes decreased by 14%, and the monetary revenue fell by 11% compared to March 2026,” the report states.
Dynamics of Milk Product Exports and Imports
In annual terms, milk product exports from Ukraine decreased by 12%, while monetary revenue fell by 17%. From January to April 2026, milk product exports totaled 41,310 tons, which is 5% less than in the same period last year. Revenue amounted to 112.91 million dollars, indicating a decline of 14%.
The key categories of Ukrainian exports in April remain condensed milk and cream (26% of exports), ice cream (22%), cheese (17%), butter (15%), and casein (6%). At the same time, the most significant growth in export volumes was observed in the categories of fermented milk products – up to 641 tons (+5% month-on-month) and ice cream – up to 1,850 tons (+35%). For other categories, there was a decrease in supplies.
Compared to April 2025, the supply of fermented milk products increased the most (+51%), cheese – to 1,170 tons (+2%), and ice cream (+21%). Meanwhile, the export of other types of milk products decreased.
Financial Results and Influencing Factors
Revenue in April significantly increased from ice cream exports – to 6.91 million dollars (+41% month-on-month), fermented milk products – to 976 thousand dollars (+6%), and whey – to 2.14 million dollars (+6%). Compared to April last year, financial revenues from the sale of fermented milk products increased by 38%, whey – by 26%, cheese – by 1%, and ice cream – by 27%.
Industry experts note that the decline in exports is related to the decrease in butter prices on the global market, caused by an oversupply of milk in European Union countries at the beginning of 2026. This led to an overload of processing enterprises, intensified competition, and pressure on prices. Additionally, low global prices negatively affect Ukrainian exporters, as a significant portion of raw milk is used for butter production. The dominance of butter and skimmed milk powder in the export structure limits the profitability of the industry and hinders its development towards more profitable innovative products.
Regarding imports, in April, Ukraine reduced the import of milk products to 5,610 tons. This is 18% less compared to March and 2% less compared to April 2025. Over the first four months of 2026, milk product imports totaled 22,570 tons worth 111.27 million dollars; natural import volumes increased by 10% compared to last year. In the import structure, the share of cheese is 63%.
The positive foreign trade balance in April amounted to 3.35 million dollars.
Raw milk production in Ukraine for the first quarter of 2026 decreased by 10% compared to the same period last year, totaling 1.31 million tons.