The dairy market in 2026: price dynamics and key changes
6 February 14:27
Despite lower prices for exchange-traded commodities and raw milk, retail prices for dairy products in Ukraine remain high, which is holding back consumer demand. In January 2026, average prices for milk, kefir, yogurt, sour cream, and cheese showed moderate growth compared to last year.
This was reported by the press service of the Association of Milk Producers, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Pasteurized milk with a fat content of up to 2.6% in film packaging costs an average of 47.75 UAH per kg, which is 12 kopecks (-0.2%) less than in the previous month, but 4.66 UAH (11%) more than in the same period last year. The cheapest milk in 900 g film packaging is Adalis brand milk, which costs UAH 41.99 per kg, and the most expensive is Yagotynske brand milk, which costs UAH 56.94 per kg.
Pasteurized milk with a fat content of up to 2.6% in a plastic bottle costsan averageof UAH 66.41/kg, which is 17 kopecks (-0.3%) less than in the previous month and UAH 7.09 (12%) more than in the same period last year. The cheapest milk in 870-gram plastic bottles is milk under the Metro label, which costs UAH 51.61 per kg, and the most expensive is Molokiya milk, which costs UAH 72.64 per kg.
Kefir with a fat content of 2.5% in film packaging costsan averageof 62.49 UAH per kg, which is 2.39 kopecks (4%) more than a month ago and 7.86 UAH (14%) more than last year. The cheapest product in 900-gram packages is the Kagma brand, which costs UAH 52.00 per kg. The highest price was recorded for Halychyna kefir in 900-gram plastic packaging (UAH 64.72 per kg).
Kefir with a fat content of 2.5% in a plastic bottle costs an average of 78.97 UAH per kg, which is 10 kopecks (-0.1%) less than a month ago, but 8.44 UAH (12%) more than last year. The cheapest kefir, Radimo, in 870-gram bottles, costs 68.51 UAH per kg, and the most expensive product in similar packaging, Molokija, costs 80.45 UAH per kg.
Sour cream with a fat content of 15% in cups costs an average of 190.90 UAH per kg, which is 1.85 UAH (-1%) less than last month, but 15.89 UAH per kg (9%) more than last year. The cheapest sour cream in 300-gram cups is the Ashan brand, which costs UAH 142.67 per kg, and the most expensive is Organic Milk sour cream, which costs UAH 234.77 per kg.
Sour cream with a fat content of 15% in plastic wrap costs an average of 153.26 UAH per kg, which is 9 kopecks (0.09%) more than last month and 19.55 UAH (15%) more than last year. The cheapest sour cream in 350-gram packages is Metro Chef (152.86 UAH per kg), and the most expensive is the Selianske brand (175.64 UAH per kg).
The average price for drinking yogurt with a fat content of 1.6% to 2.8% in plastic bottles was 118.83 UAH per kg, which is 8 kopecks (0.07%) more than in the previous month and 8.18 UAH (7%) more than in the same period last year. The cheapest yogurt in 250-260-gram plastic bottles is Mukko (111.60 UAH per kg), and the most expensive is Molokija (134.00 UAH per kg).
Spoon yogurt with a fat content of 1.6% to 2.8% in cups costsan averageof 163.69 UAH per kg, which is 30.00 kopecks (-0.2%) less than last month, but 2.60 UAH (2%) more than last year. In 280-gram cups, the cheapest yogurt is “Selian” (133.57 UAH per kg), and the most expensive is “Ferma “Po-turetski” (175.60 UAH per kg).
Sour milk cheese with a fat content of 9% costsan averageof 293.05 UAH per kg, which is 2.89 UAH (1%) more than last month and 28.33 UAH (11%) more than last year. In 350-gram packages, the cheapest sour milk cheese is the Ashan brand (239.71 UAH per kg), and the most expensive is the Yagotinsky brand (287.95 UAH per kg).
Domestic butter with a fat content of 72.5% to 73% costs an average of 593.57 UAH per kg, which is 1.55 UAH (-0.3%) less than last month, but 46.86 UAH (9%) more than last year. Among Ukrainian brands in 180-gram packages, the cheapest butter was “Ashan” at 477.22 UAH per kg. The highest price tag in this package is for “Ferma” butter at 737.67 UAH per kg.
Lustdorf butter with a fat content of 72.5% in a 180-gram package costs 651.04 UAH per kg. Over the last month, the price of the product has not changed. Compared to the same period last year, the product has risen in price by 5.59 UAH (1%).
Ukrainian cheese with a fat content of 50% costs an average of 594.54 UAH per kg. Compared to the previous month, the product has fallen in price by 5.13 UAH (-0.9%). Cheese has risen in price by 64.34 UAH (12%) compared to the same period last year. In kilogram containers, the cheapest cheese is Ukrainian hard cheese, which costs 349.00 UAH per kg, and the most expensive is Zvenyhora brand cheese, which costs 640.58 UAH per kg.
Dutch cheese with a fat content of 45% costs an average of 609.70 UAH per kg. Compared to the previous month, the product rose in price by 2.15 UAH (0.4%). Compared to last year, cheese rose in price by 78.21 UAH (15%). In kilogram containers, the lowest price for Dutch cheese of the Kremenets Dairy Products brand is 331.20 UAH per kg, and the highest price is for cheese of the Komo brand – 617.25 UAH per kg.
The average price for domestically produced Maasdam cheese with a fat content of 45% was 734.88 UAH per kg, which is 9.87 UAH (-1.3%) less than a month ago. Cheese costs 80.29 UAH (12%) more than last year. Among domestic products, the cheapest is Maasdam hard cheese in 1 kg containers – 299.80 UAH per kg, and the most expensive is Maasdam cheese of the Novgorod-Siverskyi brand – 659.00 UAH per kg. Imported Maasdam cheese of the Kroon brand in a kilogram container costs an average of 753.09 UAH per kg, which is 2% more expensive than domestic products.
Gouda cheese with a fat content of 45% from Ukrainian companies costs an average of 579.42 UAH per kg, which is 6.23 UAH (1%) more than in the previous month and 25.88 UAH (5%) more than last year. Among domestic products, the cheapest is Lelyakivska Syrovarnya brand Gouda cheese in a kilogram container, at 471.80 UAH per kg, and the most expensive is Komo brand Gouda, at 572.00 UAH per kg. Imported Gouda cheese from Kroon costs 509.00 UAH per kg, which is 12% cheaper than domestic products.
Ukrainian-made mozzarella with 45% fat content costs an average of 583.67 UAH per kg. Cheese has fallen in price by 6.69 UAH (-1%) compared to the previous month. Over the past year, mozzarella has risen in price by 27.95 UAH (5%). The cheapest mozzarella in kilogram containers is the Metro brand, at 389.00 UAH per kg, and the most expensive is the Yagotinsky brand, at 711.72 UAH per kg. Imported Prego brand mozzarella in a 125-gram package costs 567.92 UAH per kg, which is 16% cheaper than Ukrainian products in a similar package from the Yagotinsky brand.
Georgiy Kukhiashvili, an analyst at the Milk Producers Association, notes that prices for most dairy products have remained virtually unchanged over the past month. The pricing policy of retail chains does not encourage Ukrainians to buy more dairy products. Despite the decline in prices for dairy products and raw milk, retail prices for the end consumer, in particular for butter, remain high. Supermarkets import butter and other dairy products from Poland under long-term contracts, which creates competition for domestic products on supermarket shelves.
Domestic sales of dairy products within the country should be improved by the government’s support of PZU 6068-d on countering unfair trade practices by chains and introducing protective measures against the significant increase in dairy product imports. It is necessary to counteract the gray import of dairy products into Ukraine. Food for humanitarian kits and other state purposes should be purchased exclusively from domestic producers.
