A further reduction in cheese production is being recorded in Ukraine, despite stable consumer demand. Experts say the main reason is increased competition with cheaper imported products from the European Union, which are increasingly occupying store shelves. This is reported by the analytical publication "Infagro".

According to market data, prices for semi-hard cheeses in the country have hardly changed in the recent period. At the same time, most Ukrainian cheeses are sold through numerous promotions and special offers, which significantly reduces profitability for producers. This forces companies to reduce production in order to avoid losses.

Analysts explain: European products enter retail chains at a lower purchase price than Ukrainian counterparts. Thanks to this, retail can set a higher markup and at the same time offer buyers a more favorable final price. Such a price advantage increases the demand for imports and creates significant difficulties for the sale of Ukrainian cheeses.

Against the background of such pressure, domestic producers are trying not to accumulate surpluses and are reducing production volumes. This is becoming a forced step, since large stocks are difficult to sell in conditions of competition with cheaper imports.

A certain decline in demand is also observed in foreign markets. Importers from Central Asian countries, which traditionally purchase Ukrainian cheeses before the New Year and winter holidays, have already formed their batches and are in no hurry to place additional orders.

Analysts predict that the current trend — an increase in import supplies and a decrease in Ukrainian production — will continue. In their opinion, the market will continue to react to the price advantage of European cheeses, which will further complicate the position of Ukrainian producers.