On May 20, the presentation of the "Roadmap for the Euro-Integration of Ukraine's Dairy Sector" took place in Kyiv. For the first time, Ukraine's dairy industry is moving from general discussions about Euro-integration to forming a concrete plan for adapting the sector to EU rules.
In the spotlight:
- Harmonization of legislation;
- Safety and traceability;
- Requirements for milk production;
- Competitiveness of Ukrainian farms and processors;
- The future model of Ukraine's integration into the European dairy market.
It is particularly important that the discussion involved not only state and business representatives but also international partners and donors. This means that the issue of adapting the sector is gradually moving into a practical dimension: addressing not only "which requirements to fulfill," but also:
- Who will finance the transformation;
- What transition periods Ukraine will require;
- How to maintain the competitiveness of Ukrainian milk under European regulations.
Olena Zhupinas, Deputy Director General of the Association of Milk Producers, also participated in the discussion. She emphasized that today Ukrainian milk producers find themselves in an extremely difficult situation: the industry is undergoing a crisis, farm profitability remains low, and most enterprises virtually lack sufficient financial resources for large-scale modernization and the implementation of EU requirements.
According to her, Euro-integration cannot be based solely on new regulations and deadlines. Ukrainian dairy farms urgently need:
- Accessible financing;
- Long-term support programs;
- Transition periods;
- Investments in production modernization and animal welfare.
Without these measures, there is a risk of losing a significant portion of milk production even before full integration into the EU market takes place.
For the Ukrainian dairy sector, this is virtually the beginning of a new era. A very challenging road lies ahead. However, walking this path will be impossible without an honest dialogue between farmers, processors, the state, and the EU. The Ukrainian dairy industry has a chance not just to adapt to the EU, but to become an important part of Europe's future food security.
Press service of the Association of Milk Producers
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