In August – September 2026, producer prices for dairy products rose at one of the fastest rates among foods, yet still lagged far behind the increase in purchase prices for raw milk, undermining the economic efficiency of dairy processing enterprises, the official website of the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine reports.
The analysis is based on data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine (Derzhstat).
Key points:
- Producer prices for most dairy products rose by 1.8–2.3% over the two months, and for skimmed milk powder (SMP) by 3.6%.
- The purchase price of raw milk rose by more than 8% over the same period, and by more than 15% in August–October.
- Prices for plant-based foods were largely unchanged, while flour fell by almost 5%.
- The economic resilience of Ukrainian dairy processors will deteriorate significantly in the fourth quarter.
Plant-based foods
In August – September 2026, producer prices for key plant-based foods did not change significantly and in some cases even fell.
Producer prices for flour fell by almost 5% over the two months, and for sunflower oil by almost 1%. Pasta prices were unchanged, while bakery products rose by more than 2%.
Animal-based foods (excluding dairy)
Producer prices for key animal-based foods moved more dynamically in August – September. Average producer prices for beef rose by 1.5% and for sausage products by 1%, while poultry prices fell by 1.2%.
Only pork, up more than 9%, and eggs, up more than 30%, saw marked increases.
Dairy products
The period of price «calm» in the dairy market ended in July, and prices began to rise gradually under pressure from higher raw milk purchase prices and rising logistics costs.
In August – September 2026, producer prices for dairy products rose at one of the fastest rates among all food categories, primarily due to a significant increase in raw milk purchase prices.
According to Derzhstat, average producer prices for the vast majority of dairy products rose by 1.8–2.3% over the period:
- hard cheese — +2.3%;
- sour cream — +2.1%;
- butter — +2.0%;
- kefir — +1.8%;
- processed milk — +1.6%;
- SMP — +3.6%.
Raw milk prices are rising several times faster
Meanwhile, the purchase price of raw milk rose by more than 8% in August – September 2026.
As a result, the growth in average producer prices for key dairy products (1.8–2.3%) lagged far behind the growth in raw milk purchase prices, worsening the economic efficiency of Ukrainian dairy processing enterprises.
According to UDEU analysts, the current pace of raw milk price growth — more than 15% in August – October — will be difficult to «pass on» to wholesale and consumer dairy prices in the near term, given low household purchasing power and the current price dynamics of other foods, especially animal-based ones.
Consequently, the economic resilience of Ukrainian dairy processors will deteriorate significantly in the fourth quarter.
Source: Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine (UDEU Analytics)
