UDEU Presents Ukraine’s Dairy Sector at SIPPO

On 10 November 2025, the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine (UDEU) took an important step toward deeper international integration. Together with the Executive Director of the Union, Arsen Didur, we participated in the annual meeting of the SIPPO Country Coordination Committee — a strategic platform of the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO), which supports the development of export-oriented sectors in partner countries.

At this meeting, UDEU was presented as a potential Business Support Organization (BSO) within the SIPPO structure — a status that could significantly influence the development trajectory of Ukraine’s dairy sector.

What Could BSO Status Change for the Sector?

Joining the SIPPO programme is not a formality or another membership in an international network. It is about opening real channels that can strengthen Ukraine’s presence in global dairy markets.

Key advantages include:

1. System-level international integration

SIPPO provides BSOs with access to an ecosystem of global trade platforms and sector-specific exhibitions, allowing Ukrainian dairy companies to promote their products systematically rather than occasionally, and within a structured support programme.

2. Access to major international exhibitions

Anuga, Gulfood, SIAL — events that shape or redefine export strategies worldwide. Supported by SIPPO, Ukrainian milk producers can move from occasional participation to a strategic and sustained global presence.

3. Development of export-oriented services

The programme helps BSOs build services — from assessing companies’ export readiness to developing performance measurement tools — creating infrastructure that individual enterprises cannot establish on their own.

4. Engagement with high-level B2B platforms

SIPPO develops and moderates platforms where Ukrainian producers can negotiate with international traders and buyers. This provides access to markets that are usually difficult to enter for new players.

Why This Matters Now

The war has fundamentally changed the operational conditions for Ukrainian businesses.
Despite this, the dairy sector continues to demonstrate resilience, technological discipline and a clear capacity for development.

However, the domestic market alone is no longer sufficient for scaling.
Global food supply chains are being reshaped, and Ukrainian producers need tools to adapt. Programmes like SIPPO provide the structured support needed to enter new markets in times of uncertainty.

What Is the Role of UDEU?

UDEU has a clear and ambitious mission — to support Ukrainian dairy processors in entering foreign markets confidently, consistently and sustainably.

This involves building a full-fledged export strategy for the sector through:

• transitioning from occasional presentations to a strategic global presence;
• organizing targeted trade missions with clear KPIs;
• professional support during negotiations with international buyers;
• preparing companies to meet global quality and safety standards.

As a sectoral business association, UDEU aims to provide companies with the infrastructure and expertise needed to convert participation in international exhibitions, missions and B2B events into real contracts and long-term partnerships.

What This Means for the Sector

Despite wartime challenges, Ukrainian dairy companies continue to demonstrate promising export cases. Yet it is system-level work that allows these successes to scale.

Integration of UDEU into SIPPO would bring:
• new partnerships with European and global traders;
• increased interest from international buyers;
• higher product quality and competitiveness;
• stronger global visibility of Ukrainian dairy companies.

Conclusion

The global food market is changing rapidly. Countries that integrate their industry associations into international export platforms gain competitive advantages that others do not.

UDEU is committed to ensuring that Ukraine’s dairy sector evolves from a local player into an integrated part of the global food value chain.

Potential partnership with SIPPO is one of the steps that could significantly accelerate this transformation.