Ukrainian cheesemakers might lose domestic market to growing imports - analysts

MOSCOW. May 3 (Interfax) - Ukrainian cheesemakers have seen a decline in sales due to the high price of Ukrainian cheese and growing imports, Ukrainian media said, citing the Infagro sectoral information analysis agency.

"Cheese imports grew over 40% in March, and might grow another 15%-20% in April. This means the share of European cheese again reaches a third of all cheese sold in Ukraine," the analysts said.

The share of imports on the Ukrainian market is so far below the pre-crisis level, yet local manufactures should take measures to keep the domestic market, they said.

"Cheese exports become even more advantageous because of the hryvna devaluation. Meanwhile, exports of cheese products, for instance, to Kazakhstan are plummeting. Russian producers have practically squeezed Ukrainian curd products out of the Kazakh market. If exports of cheese products to Kazakhstan stop, such production will have to be cut significantly," Infagro said.