Ukrainian dairy producers are exploring the resumption of full-scale dry milk exports to Japan, according to Arsen Didur, Executive Director of the Association of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine (ADEU).
Didur noted that Ukrainian companies once supplied significant volumes of dry milk to Japan, but trade relations between the two countries weakened over time. While Ukraine regained permission to export dairy products to Japan in March 2021, current export volumes remain low.
“In the context of global price turbulence, Ukraine needs to diversify beyond European markets. Japan could be an important alternative sales channel,” Didur said. He added that although Japan has domestic milk production, climatic limitations and scarce pastures restrict its animal husbandry capacity, creating opportunities for imported dry milk.
ADEU has expressed interest in engaging with Japanese businesses to restore and expand these export channels, providing Ukrainian producers with a potential avenue for growth.