‘If in 1990 an average Ukrainian consumed 373 liters of dairy products per year (in milk equivalent) in 1995 - 244 liters per year, in 2009 this figure (Goskomstat) decreased to 213 liters per capita.

The highest rates of milk consumption are typical for EU countries (89.3 kg per capita) and USA (82.6 kg per capita). Absolute leaders in consumption of milk per capita per year, for example, are the countries of Western Europe - Netherlands (37.6 kg), France (35.4 kg), Germany (32.6 kg) and Spain (27.5 kg). Ukraine, with its 9.3 kg per capita, confidently takes a middle position. For example, in Kazakhstan, the annual consumption of milk is only 2.7 kg per capita.

According to estimations, in 2009 milk processing factories marketed approximately 514 tons of liquid milk - 10,8 liters of product per capita into domestic market (pasteurized or sterilized milk). Dairy products were marketed in amount of 493 thousand tons or 8.9 liters per capita, curd - 88 thousand tons (1.9 kg per person), rennet cheese - 125 thousand tons (2.7 kg), butter - 86 tons, spread - 85 thousand tons, milk cans - 195 million standard cans.

It should be noted that the Ukrainians have a different attitude towards dairy products. Thus, traditional dairy products (milk, sour cream and kefir) are considered to be basic products, while modern category of sour dairy products (yogurt and curds with fillers) is still considered to be a passing fad to some extent.

According to experts, meat for the Ukrainians is more accessible at a price than milk now. Today, a kilogram of cheese is equal to one and a half kilogram of pork at a price. That’s why more frequently Ukrainians prefer relatively cheap meat to expensive dairy products.

MilkUa.info