In the first half of January 2026, Ukraine’s foreign trade in dairy products slowed sharply. The combined value of exports and imports totaled $13.6 million, down 59% compared with the first half of December 2025, according to ProAgro Group.

Data from the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine show that dairy exports fell by 51% month-on-month and by 43% compared with November 2025. Imports declined even more sharply—by 65.5% versus December and 49.5% versus November. As a result, the trade balance remained negative at $1.2 million.

Within the export structure, the steepest declines were recorded for condensed milk and cream (–56%), butter and milk fats (–65%), and cheese of all types (–46%). At the same time, whey was the only category to post growth, with exports up 12%.

The import mix also shifted: supplies of fermented dairy products decreased by 19%, while cheese imports dropped by 65%. Against this backdrop, whey imports surged by 134%, potentially indicating stronger demand from the processing industry.

Analysts attribute the overall contraction to seasonality, weaker business activity at the beginning of the year, and the continued impact of war-related risks, logistical constraints, and currency volatility, all of which continue to weigh on the dairy sector.

Earlier reports noted that Ukrproduct increased butter sales by 26% in the first nine months of 2025, driven by export growth.