Over the past month, only certain types of fresh dairy products and cheeses have become cheaper. Prices for the dairy range in Ukrainian supermarkets remain high due to producers' rising energy costs, despite weak domestic demand and falling dairy prices in export markets, according to Georghii Kukhaleishvili, analyst at the Association of Milk Producers (AMP).
Pasteurized milk (up to 2.6% fat) in a plastic pouch costs 47.61 UAH per kg on average, which is 59 kopecks (-1%) less than the previous month but 8.05 UAH (+20%) more than the same period last year. The cheapest milk in a 900g pouch is the "Kozhen den" brand, costing 41.00 UAH per kg, while the most expensive is the "Yagotynske" brand, at 57.77 UAH per kg.
Pasteurized milk (up to 2.6% fat) in a plastic bottle costs 66.52 UAH/kg on average, which is 1.10 kopecks (+1.7%) more than the previous month and 11.96 UAH/kg (+22%) more than the same period last year. The cheapest milk in 870g plastic bottles is the "Metro" label, costing 51.61 UAH per kg, and the most expensive is "Halychyna" milk, costing 71.13 UAH per kg.
Kefir (2.5% fat) in a plastic pouch costs 57.16 UAH per kg on average, which is 42 kopecks (+1%) more than a month ago but 8.39 UAH (+17%) more than last year. The cheapest product in 900g pouches is the "Kefir" brand, costing 46.10 UAH per kg. The highest price was recorded for "Yagotynskyi" kefir in a 900g pouch (62.77 UAH per kg).
Kefir (2.5% fat) in a plastic bottle costs 78.92 UAH per kg on average, which is 2.47 UAH (+3%) more than a month ago and 14.23 UAH (+22%) more than last year. The cheapest "Radymo" kefir in 870g bottles costs 68.51 UAH per kg, while the most expensive product in similar packaging, the "Molokiia" brand, costs 80.45 UAH per kg.
Sour cream (15% fat) in cups costs 189.99 UAH per kg on average, which is 2.77 UAH (+1.5%) more compared to the previous month but 32.84 UAH per kg (+21%) more than the same period last year. The cheapest sour cream in 300g cups is the "Auchan" label, costing 142.67 UAH per kg, while the most expensive is Organic Milk sour cream, costing 231.61 UAH per kg.
Sour cream (15% fat) in a plastic pouch costs 150.45 UAH per kg on average, which is 1.52 UAH (+1%) more than the previous month and 32.11 UAH (+27%) more than the same period last year. The cheapest sour cream in 350g pouches is "Kagma" (128.86 UAH per kg), and the most expensive is the "Selianske" brand (168.29 UAH per kg).
The average price for drinking yogurt (1.6% to 2.8% fat) in plastic bottles was 114.49 UAH per kg, which is 1.29 UAH (-1.1%) less than the previous month but 15.64 UAH (+16%) more than the same period last year. The cheapest yogurt in 250g plastic bottles is "Mukko" (111.60 UAH per kg), and the most expensive is "Molokiia" production (134.00 UAH per kg).
Spoonable yogurt (1.6% to 2.8% fat) in cups costs 162.75 UAH per kg on average, which is 1.28 UAH (+1%) more than the previous month but 13.50 UAH (+9%) more than the same period last year. In 280g cups, the cheapest is "Selianskyi" yogurt (118.21 UAH per kg), and the most expensive is "Ferma 'Po-turetsky'" yogurt (165.48 UAH per kg).
The average price for cottage cheese (9% fat) was 288.91 UAH per kg, which is 4.53 UAH (-2%) less than the previous month but 37.44 UAH (+15%) more than the same period last year. In 350g packages, the cheapest cottage cheese is the "Auchan" label (226.86 UAH per kg), and the most expensive is the "Yagotynskyi" brand (287.48 UAH per kg).
Domestically produced Butter (72.5% to 73% fat) costs 588.80 UAH per kg on average, which is 2.16 UAH (+0.4%) more than the previous month and 91.66 UAH (+18%) more than last year. Among Ukrainian brands in 180g packages, the cheapest was "Auchan" butter – 466.11 UAH per kg. The highest price tag in this packaging is for "Ferma" butter – 730.00 UAH per kg. For comparison, imported "President" butter costs 960.00 UAH per kg, which is 63% more expensive than Ukrainian-made products.
"Lyustdorf" butter (72.5% fat) in a 180g package costs 679.44 UAH per kg, which is 28.78 UAH (+4%) more than the previous month.
"Ukrainskyi" Cheese (50% fat) costs 603.46 UAH per kg on average. Compared to the previous month, the product became 12.80 kopecks (+2.2%) more expensive. The cheese price has increased by 107.28 UAH (+22%) compared to the same period last year. In one-kilogram packaging, the cheapest is weighed "Ukrainskyi" hard cheese – 367.05 UAH per kg, and the most expensive is the "Shostka" brand cheese – 671.15 UAH per kg.
"Holandskyi" (Dutch) Cheese (45% fat) costs 598.44 UAH per kg on average. Compared to the previous month, the product became 8.94 UAH (+1.5%) more expensive. Compared to last year, the cheese price increased by 106.35 UAH (+22%). In one-kilogram packaging, the lowest price for "Holandskyi" cheese is the "Kremenetski molochni vyroby" brand – 331.20 UAH per kg, and the highest is the "Komo" brand cheese – 591.85 UAH per kg.
The average price for domestically produced Maasdam Cheese (45% fat) was 740.57 UAH per kg, which is 7.09 UAH (-1%) cheaper than a month ago. The cheese costs 175.05 UAH (+31%) more than last year. Among domestic products in one-kilogram packaging, the cheapest is weighed Maasdam hard cheese – 299.80 UAH per kg, and the most expensive is "Novgorod-Siverskyi" Maasdam brand – 649.00 UAH per kg. Imported "Kroon" Maasdam cheese in one-kilogram packaging costs 527.5 UAH per kg on average, which is 29% cheaper than domestic products.
Gouda Cheese (45% fat) from Ukrainian companies costs 563.26 UAH per kg on average, which is 21.33 UAH (-4%) less than the previous month but 68.26 UAH (+14%) more than last year. Among domestic products in one-kilogram packaging, the cheapest Gouda cheese is the "Kremenets" brand – 322.80 UAH per kg, and the most expensive price tag is for "Komo" Gouda brand – 572.00 UAH per kg. Imported "Hollander" Gouda cheese costs 398.00 UAH per kg, which is 29% cheaper than domestic products.
Mozzarella (45% fat) of Ukrainian production costs 622.52 UAH per kg on average. The cheese became 19.09 UAH (+3%) more expensive compared to the previous month. Over the past year, Mozzarella has increased in price by 121.56 UAH (+24%). In one-kilogram packaging, the cheapest Mozzarella is the "Lemberg" brand – 490.40 UAH per kg, and the most expensive is the "Yagotynskyi" Mozzarella brand, costing 711.72 UAH per kg. Imported "Belezza" Mozzarella in a 125g package costs 615.20 UAH per kg, which is 6% cheaper than Ukrainian products of the "Yagotynskyi" brand in similar packaging.
Georghii Kukhaleishvili suggests that most dairy product prices in Ukraine remain high because the increase in electricity tariffs leads to rising production costs for plants and, as a result, affects the increase in prices for finished products. At the same time, there is weak demand for fresh dairy products in Ukraine due to the decrease in consumers' purchasing power and their numbers due to forced emigration.
Over the past month, prices have softened for pasteurized milk in a pouch, drinking yogurt in bottles, and cottage cheese. Prices for domestically produced Maasdam and Gouda cheese have also decreased compared to the previous month. Imported cheeses, which cost less than products from domestic cheesemakers, are popular among Ukrainian consumers. The reduction in demand for domestic cheeses in the internal market likely led to a certain softening of prices.