Ukraine boosting cheese exports, but should pursue sensible pricing policy on internal market - experts

MOSCOW. June 17 (Interfax) - Since the share of European cheese on the Ukrainian market is quite large, domestic producers ought to pursue a sensible pricing policy even despite a temporary decline in cheese imports to the Ukrainian market in May, Ukrainian media said, citing the Infagro industry information and analytical agency.

"This will play its role when foreign, mainly Polish, cheese makers again raise their sales in Ukraine. A balanced pricing policy will help maintain sales at a considerable level. An increase in them is out of the question today, as it could happen only via very active sales promotions, which are not quite profitable from an economic standpoint either," Infagro said.

Cheese makers are trying to increase exports because of the hryvnia's devaluation, it said. The bulk (54%) of rennet cheese exports go to Kazakhstan, and such shipments to the European Union have also become noticeable.

The main suppliers of rennet cheese to Ukraine are Poland (38%), Germany (17%), the Netherlands (11%), the Czech Republic (8%), and Italy (6%), Infagro said.