From 17 to 21 October 2026, the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine (UDEU) took part in SIAL Paris 2026, one of the world’s largest international food industry exhibitions. The event served as a platform for showcasing Ukrainian producers, expanding international business contacts and developing cooperation with European partners, the official website of the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine reports.
This year, Ukraine’s food industry was represented at the exhibition by more than a hundred participants and 15 business support organisations. Despite the full-scale war, Ukrainian companies continue to develop their export potential, seek new markets and strengthen their position in international trade.
For UDEU, taking part in SIAL Paris 2026 continued its systematic work to promote the interests of Ukraine’s dairy industry and develop international partnerships.
Ukraine’s dairy industry on the international market
UDEU exhibited as part of the Collective Stand of Ukraine, which brought together seven Ukrainian Business Support Organisations (BSOs).
Over five days, the UDEU team worked to present the export potential of Ukrainian producers, build professional contacts with international partners and explore opportunities to further promote Ukrainian dairy products abroad.
The exhibition also offered insight into current trends in the global food industry, product positioning approaches and the requirements of international buyers.
A key focus was presenting the capabilities of Ukraine’s dairy sector, notably through the Ukrainian Dairy Exporters Catalogue, prepared with UDEU’s participation.
International partnership and support for Ukrainian business
During SIAL Paris 2026, particular attention was paid to developing cooperation with European industry organisations and representatives of Ukraine’s economic diplomacy.
UDEU representatives met Alexander Anton, Secretary General of the European Dairy Association (EDA), continuing the dialogue on the European integration of Ukraine’s dairy industry, removing trade barriers and ensuring predictable access for Ukrainian products to the European Union (EU) market.
Another important event was the visit of Vadym Omelchenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the French Republic, who toured the Ukrainian exhibition stands and met representatives of Ukrainian business support organisations, including UDEU, and participating companies.
The Ambassador expressed his support for Ukrainian producers, highlighting their resilience and ability not only to maintain production but also to grow and represent Ukraine on international markets during the full-scale war.
«For UDEU, such engagement is an important part of our international work, as combining the efforts of business associations, diplomatic missions and industry partners creates additional opportunities to develop Ukrainian exports», said UDEU Executive Director Nataliia Haidt.
Practical training and stronger export capacity
One of the key outcomes of UDEU’s participation in SIAL Paris 2026 was gaining practical expertise in international trade and export promotion.
A special role was played by Charles Mordret, an international trade development and export promotion consultant engaged to provide expert support to Ukrainian business associations under the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO).
Throughout the exhibition, he worked directly with representatives of Ukrainian business support organisations, including the UDEU team, providing hands-on advice on promoting products on international markets.
«The knowledge and recommendations we received are of practical value for UDEU’s further work, in particular for improving export promotion tools and expanding the services the union can offer its member companies», said UDEU Deputy Executive Director Khrystyna Shpak, who took part in the practical workshops with the expert.
Results and next priorities
SIAL Paris 2026 allowed UDEU to present Ukraine’s dairy industry at one of the world’s leading industry platforms, expand professional contacts, continue cooperation with European partners and gain practical tools for further export development.
The next stage will involve building on the international contacts established, developing partnerships, supporting companies’ export initiatives and further promoting the interests of Ukraine’s dairy industry at European level.
Despite energy and logistics challenges, labour shortages and difficult wartime conditions, Ukraine’s dairy industry continues to produce, safeguard food security and develop its international potential.
UDEU thanks its member companies for their active participation in the exhibition, its international partners for their support and the organisers of the Collective Stand of Ukraine for their joint work.
For UDEU, the main result of its international activity is not only presenting Ukrainian producers abroad but also creating practical conditions for their long-term presence on global markets.
The union continues to work on expanding the export opportunities of Ukrainian dairy companies, strengthening international partnerships and integrating the sector into the European economic area.
UDEU’s participation in SIAL Paris 2026 was supported by the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO), funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by Swisscontact.
