Ukraine boosts baby food production

The domestic food industry is stepping up production of food for children under 3 years of age. In the first 8 months of 2013, nearly 21 million tons of baby food was produced, which is up 41% year-on-year. Since the beginning of the year, production of milk-based baby food has risen 46%, including processed milk — 13%, dairy products and cheeses — 200% and juice — 35%, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

According to Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the big increase in baby food production can be attributed to favorable conditions created by the government. 

Baby food producers may use their tax money to upgrade and expand the range of products. As a result, only in the past year, 260 million USD of baby food production funds were reinvested to create new businesses in the industry. 

Experts say the Milk Alliance holding (Kyiv) in October 2013 launched the baby food factory «Yagotynske for children» in the village of Zgurovka, Kyiv region. PepsiCo in May 2013 commissioned a baby food factory «Agusha» at Vishnevoye, Kyiv region. 

Government analysts point out that the increase in the production of baby food goes in parallel with the increasing demands for its quality. According to the various legislative changes, now these products must undergo sanitary and epidemiological expertise and state registration. In making baby foods, now it is forbidden to use dyes, artificial flavors (except vanillin), sweeteners (except for functional baby food), preservatives, stabilizers, taste and flavor enhancers. 

According to experts, these and other positive changes in the production of baby food, are due to the fact that last year the government approved the State target specialized program of development of baby food production 2012–2016, whose implementation resulted in such a spectacular success. 

Foreign countries have begun consuming more Ukrainian baby food: it is exported in almost 30 countries. Most baby food is sold by Ukraine to Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Georgia and Turkmenistan. Minor amounts are also available in the Baltic States, Asia, Africa and the US. 

The government has promoted a program of development of domestic production of baby food 2020. One of its tasks is calculating the need and volume of baby food production, conditions for baby food producers, as well as mechanisms to attract investment.