Experts put share of grey dairy market in Ukraine at 20%, share of counterfeits at 10%

MOSCOW. March 22 (Interfax) - The share of the grey dairy product market in Ukraine is currently about 20%, while the share of counterfeit products is almost 10%, Ukrainian media reported, citing a statement from the Ukrainian Union of Dairy Enterprises.

"The problem of counterfeit products is fairly acute for the Ukrainian market. And the top positions in the ranking of counterfeits are traditionally held by milk and dairy products," the union said.

The spread of counterfeit dairy products has led to the "distortion of competition" and reduced the investment appeal of the sector for Ukrainian and foreign investors, the union said. It has also hurt Ukraine's international business and political reputation, increased the risk to consumers' health and deprived budgets at all levels of revenue.

The union said it has worked out an action plan to combat the spread of counterfeit products on the domestic market and discussed it with the head of the State Food Safety and Consumer Protection Service, Sergei Tkachuk.

In the course of its implementation, there are plans to make the relevant amendments to laws and regulations, monitor the dairy market for counterfeits with subsequent intervention by government regulators, as well as educate dairy industry professionals and consumers about this problem.