Dairy prices in Ukraine remain high, but their growth rate has slowed. The main reason is the reduction in the purchasing power of the population, which led to a decrease in demand for dairy products and, accordingly, to restrain their cost.

According to the Milk Producers Association, in January the average cost of pasteurized milk with a fat content of 2.5% was 54.79 UAH/kg, which is 1% cheaper than in December, but 19% more expensive than in January 2024. Meanwhile, 2.5% kefir increased in price to 66.95 UAH/kg, increasing by 0.7% per month and by 21% per year.

Among fermented milk products, sour cream 15% increased in value by 1.5% over the past month, reaching UAH 161.89/kg, and drinking yogurt increased in price by 1.6% – to UAH 103.62/kg. Prices for yogurt in glasses increased even more – to UAH 161.09/kg (+2.1% per month, +18% per year).

Cheese products demonstrate different price trends. Fermented milk cheese 9% now costs UAH 264.72/kg, which is 1.2% more than in December, and butter 73% increased in price by 1% per month and 29% per year, reaching UAH 546.71/kg. Of the hard cheeses, Ukrainian (530.20 UAH/kg) and Dutch (531.41 UAH/kg) increased in price by 1-3% per month, while Maasdam (654.59 UAH/kg) became cheaper by 5.3%. At the same time, Gouda (553.54 UAH/kg) and Mozzarella (555.72 UAH/kg) increased in value by an average of 4-5%.

The decrease in demand affected not only retail prices, but also the purchase cost of raw milk. In January, dairy processing enterprises reduced purchases, which led to a surplus of raw materials on the domestic market. An additional factor was the decrease in exports during the winter holidays, when international trade activity traditionally decreases.

Another important trend was the record import of cheeses in December 2024. The increase in the price of Ukrainian cheeses has made foreign products more competitive, which has led to an increase in imports. If this trend continues, it may affect the future balance of the market and force domestic producers to adapt their pricing strategies.