Ukrainian dairy farms increased milk production by 4% in February

According to the Association of Milk Producers (AMP), in February 2025, farms of all categories in Ukraine produced 439 thousand tons of raw milk, which is 14 thousand tons (-3%) less than in January 2025 and 24 thousand tons (-5%) less than in February 2024.

In general, the volume of milk production in Ukraine in January-February 2025 amounted to 891 thousand tons, which is 32 thousand tons (-4%) less than in the same period of the previous year.

In February 2025, dairy enterprises accounted for 55% of the total raw milk production, while households accounted for 45%. During the month, enterprises produced 239,000 tons of raw milk, which is 20,000 tons (-8%) less than in January 2025, but 4,000 tons (+2%) more than in February 2024.

Meanwhile, in January-February 2025, industrial dairy farms produced 499 thousand tons of raw milk, which is 21 thousand tons (+4%) more than the same period last year.

In the household sector, milk production in February 2025 was 200,000 tonnes, up 6,000 tonnes (+3%) from January 2025 but down 28,000 tonnes (-12%) from February 2024. Smallholder farms produced 393,000 tonnes of raw milk in the first two months of 2025, down 53,000 tonnes (-12%) from the previous year.

According to AMP analyst Giorgi Kukhaleishvili, industrial dairy farms may not increase milk production in 2025 due to a decrease in domestic demand for dairy products and a drop in purchase prices. Since milk processing plants cannot purchase milk at stable market prices, an additional increase in milk yields may lead to a sharper drop in prices.

Another problem facing the Ukrainian dairy industry is the potential threat of foot-and-mouth disease, outbreaks of which have recently been reported in Hungary and Slovakia. Increased culling of infected cattle could negatively impact milk production.

“There are certain prospects for a moderate recovery in demand for milk in Ukraine. Milk processors are working to stimulate consumer demand through discounts and promotional offers in retail chains. With the onset of spring, the ice cream season begins, and the export of canned dairy products from Ukraine increases. This is expected to lead to an increase in the supply of raw milk for processing,” the industry association concluded.