"DANONE" IN UKRAINE OPENED "WINDOW TO EUROPE" FOR YOGURTS – DAIRY PRODUCTS WITH A SHORT SHELF LIFE

For the first time in the history of Ukrainian exports, dairy products manufactured in our country with a short shelf life are sold in the European Union. The yoghurts made at Kherson Plant “Danone Dnipro” took a worthy place on the shelves of Polish stores.

Since June 1^st, 2018 “Danone” has been exporting 10 tons of products for children under the “Danonki” brand with strawberry flavour (in Ukraine “Rastishka” brand) on a weekly basis. Since October 11^th, “Danone” has been exporting “Activia” yogurt with bifidus in two flavours - “blueberries and 5 cereals” and “dried apricots and flaxseed”. “Activia” weekly export volume is 10 tons as well. There are already requests to increase these export volumes.

“We are proud of quality control at our plants, conduct regular audits and ensure a stable quality of final products manufactured by “Danone”. “The fact that we did not stop at one product, but continue to find new opportunities for export, confirms that our company produces high-quality and innovative products that are in demand both for Ukrainians and for the European consumer,” commented,  General Manager Nathalie Alquier.

“Danone” team has been actively working on expanding geography of the markets since 2016. As far back as 2016, the factory of “Danone Dnipro” LLC in Kherson, received the right to export dairy products to the countries of the European Union. Besides, the factory has been certified by the FSSC 22000, one of the most comprehensive approaches to certification of food safety management system. In 2016-2017 years, Danone supplied “Activia” yogurt with bifidus to Moldova in advance of its export to Europe. At present, the company exports “Prostokvashyno” sour cream and “Activia” drinking yogurt with bifidus to the United Arab Emirates. In 2018, the company received a request from partners from Poland to supply products for children under the brand “Danonki” (in Ukraine "Rastishka" brand). The request was successfully implemented; therefore, Poland became the first country in the European Union to which Ukrainian yogurt was exported.

For the production of “Danone” products, the company buys milk of the highest quality which meets the requirements of the European standards. This is another important factor that enabled the successful launch of Ukrainian dairy products with a short shelf life to the European Union.

“Launch of exports to the European Union is the result of Danone's sustainable investments in production line modernization, safety standards and the development of milk suppliers. This year alone the company has allocated 20 million UAH from the budget to continue improving the working conditions and standards of food safety at two plants. The role of milk suppliers is decisive in this process. So, in order to qualify for the export of dairy products to the countries of the European Union, not only manufacturing facilities, but also the farm-suppliers should undergo audit. Moreover, not only the quality of milk is verified, but the farm itself and how it is managed. In order to develop export of fresh dairy products to Europe, business in Ukraine shall provide high-quality dairy raw materials that meet standards of the European Union. This milk is of an excellent quality. Our company supports and is ready to support the further development of suppliers who are striving for the European standards. To this end, our company's specialists conduct trainings for suppliers of dairy raw materials,” said Nathalie Alquier.

“Danone” plans to adjust supply situation of dairy products in other European countries. The company is sure that yoghurt produced at the Ukrainian plant is competitive next to the products produced in the European Union.