In May 2025, Ukraine significantly increased its dairy exports. According to data from the analyst of the Milk Producers Association, Georgy Kukhaleishvili, the country exported 14.88 thousand tons of dairy products for a total amount of $50.83 million. This is 25% more than the volume in April and 14% more than in May 2024. The positive dynamics are due to the favorable situation on world commodity exchanges and high demand for Ukrainian products.

Export revenue increased even more noticeably - by 32% compared to April and by 48% compared to the same period last year. In total, in the first five months of 2025, Ukraine exported 57.97 thousand tons of dairy products, which is 17% more than last year. The cash result was $179.32 million, showing an impressive 57% growth.

May saw an increase in exports by key product categories. The largest increases were seen in butter — 2.89 thousand tons (+61% compared to April), ice cream — 2.24 thousand tons (+18%), condensed milk and cream — 5.04 thousand tons (+31%). There was also an increase in shipments of cheese (1.29 thousand tons, +2%), buttermilk (500 tons, +5%) and whey (1.70 thousand tons, +19%). The only category that recorded a slight decline was whole milk and cream — their exports decreased by 2%.

In annual terms (compared to May 2024), the largest export growth was observed in butter (+464%), condensed milk and cream (+58%), buttermilk (+51%), as well as cheese (+22%) and ice cream (+25%). At the same time, the volumes of whole milk and cream decreased by 45%, and whey - by 26%.

Cash revenue by individual commodity items also demonstrates significant growth. For example, $12.98 million was received for the export of condensed milk and cream (+32% by April), butter - $20.51 million (+61%), cheese - $6.02 million (+2%), ice cream - $8.06 million (+14%). A slight decrease was recorded only for whole milk and cream ($1 million, -7%) and buttermilk (\5 thousand, -5%).

Compared to May last year, the largest increase in cash revenue was from the sale of butter (+557%), condensed milk and cream (+70%), buttermilk (+53%), cheese (+30%), ice cream (+37%) and whey (+7%). At the same time, whole milk and cream brought 28% less revenue.

Against the background of export growth, imports remained moderate. In May 2025, Ukraine purchased 5.05 thousand tons of dairy products worth $26.32 thousand. Natural import volumes decreased by 2% compared to April, but increased by 18% compared to May 2024. In total, imports for January-May amounted to 25.61 thousand tons (+11%) worth \8.63 million (+14%), with the largest share — 64% — accounted for by cheese imports.