Until a few months ago, farmers in Kosovo said that around 30 percent of fresh milk remained unsold. Among other factors, they attributed this situation to competition from products made with powdered milk and vegetable fats.

Following the Government’s decision to restrict the use of these ingredients in the dairy industry, some farmers say that the market is showing signs of improvement.

Figures from the Association of Milk Producers, obtained by Radio Free Europe, also show an increase in the amount of milk sold by farmers.

During the first six months of this year, the Association’s partner farmers collected and sold more than 45 million liters of milk. During the same period last year, the amount was around 35 million liters.

Meanwhile, the value of imports of palm oil and powdered milk has also declined.

Arbnor Binakaj, a farmer from the outskirts of Gjakova, looks after around 40 cows and produces between 270 and 300 liters of milk every day.

He says that in previous years, uncertainty over the sale of his production had made him hesitant to invest in and expand his farm.

According to him, recent developments have changed the situation.

“We have gone through occasional crises and periods when there was no market for milk. Now there are signs of stability, and milk is no longer being left unsold. For this reason, I will increase my investments and production capacity, because until now palm oil and powdered milk have replaced our fresh product,” Binakaj told Radio Free Europe.

His plan is to increase the number of cows from 40 to 100, although the realization of this investment will also depend on the continuation and implementation of the measures adopted.

“The Government should keep the measures it has taken in force, because they give farmers security, prospects and stability,” Binakaj said.

Xhevdet Morina, a farmer from Rogova in the Has region, also expects changes in the market. He has around 70 cows and produces up to 900 liters of milk a day.

However, Morina believes that banning or restricting palm oil and powdered milk is not sufficient in itself.

He calls for buyers to be clearly informed about the composition of the products they purchase.

“In stores, products containing vegetable fats should be clearly separated and labeled from those containing animal fats, so that consumers know exactly what they are buying,” Morina told Radio Free Europe.

The Government’s measures were introduced following farmers’ complaints that a large quantity of fresh milk was failing to find buyers.

On April 28, the Ministry of Agriculture approved a package of restrictions for the dairy market aimed at protecting domestic production and consumers.

The package provides for clearer categorization and labeling of products, bans the mixing of fresh milk with products containing powdered milk or palm oil, and includes inspections along with laboratory analyses.

Powdered milk was also included in the excise scheme.

However, the new rules do not mean that every product containing vegetable fats or powdered milk has been permanently banned.

Operators using these ingredients must meet the new licensing, categorization and labeling requirements. If the composition does not justify such a designation, these products may not be sold as traditional dairy products.

Inspections carried out after the measures came into force uncovered inconsistencies in the market.

At the beginning of August, the Food and Veterinary Agency announced that approximately 20 percent of dairy product samples differed in their actual composition from the information stated on the label.

In most cases, the presence of undeclared palm oil was identified.

The FVA said that operators using palm oil or powdered milk must obtain special licenses. Their products also may not be sold under traditional designations such as “milk,” “cheese,” “cottage cheese” or “cream.”

Following these decisions, the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation began inspections at stores, warehouses and importers, as well as among wholesalers and retailers.

Businesses were asked to remove from their shelves products in which the responsible authorities had found inconsistencies.

Radio Free Europe asked the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation for information on the amount of products removed from the market, but the Ministry did not respond to the request.

Some dairy products that were previously part of the selection are now missing from stores.

Data from Kosovo Customs provide another indication of changes in this sector.

During the January-July period, the value of palm oil and powdered milk imports was lower than during the same period last year.

In the first seven months of this year, Kosovo imported palm oil worth around 2.3 million euros. During the same period in 2025, imports amounted to around 3 million euros.

The difference became more pronounced after May.

From May to July alone, palm oil imports were around 270 thousand euros lower than during the same months of the previous year.

However, these figures do not prove that the decline in imports is a direct consequence of the government measures.

Palm oil is also used outside the food industry, including in the cosmetics sector.

Therefore, the change in the total value of imports of this product cannot be attributed solely to the dairy market.

A decline was also recorded in powdered milk imports.

Its value fell from around 1.8 million euros in the first seven months of 2025 to approximately 1.3 million euros during the same period this year.

Naser Bajraktari, chairman of the Association of Milk Producers, believes that the measures could make it easier for farmers to sell fresh milk.

He expects restrictions on palm oil and alternative products in dairies to increase demand for locally produced milk. According to him, the full impact of these measures may become more apparent in the coming period.

Bajraktari says that farmers have the ability to increase production and meet a larger share of market demand.

Radio Free Europe also contacted several processing companies that use fresh milk as a raw material.

Some of the companies, which asked not to be identified, said they had increased their purchases of fresh milk but did not provide figures for the increase.

Other companies said they had temporarily halted production of certain items until they met the licensing requirements.

Despite farmers’ optimism, the industry does not yet regard the change as a lasting trend.

Gani Durmishi of the Kosovo Dairy Industry Association says that some companies still have reserves of unsold products and that demand for fresh milk has not increased significantly.

He says sales of some products, without specifying which ones, have fallen by as much as 50 percent.

Durmishi links the decline to uncertainty among consumers following inspections and the discovery of undeclared ingredients.

He calls on the FVA to publish which domestic products have passed the analyses and meet safety standards. According to him, such information would help restore consumer confidence.

Durmishi also confirms that some factories have temporarily suspended production of certain items containing palm oil or powdered milk until they obtain licenses and complete categorization in line with the new requirements.

According to him, the industry’s main difficulty is not processing but selling finished products.

The industry has the capacity to process around one million liters of milk a day, while it currently processes up to 300 thousand liters.

This highlights the paradox of Kosovo’s dairy market.

Domestic production is not sufficient to meet all consumption needs.

At the same time, the industry says it is operating far below its processing capacity.

Nevertheless, farmers have reported that some fresh milk has failed to find buyers.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, production in Kosovo covers only around 66 percent of market needs, while the remainder is supplied through imports.

During 2024, Kosovo’s dairy industry produced products worth 135.2 million euros.

At the same time, the number of dairy cows in the country has declined.

In 2024, Kosovo had 126,549 dairy cows, or 3,348 fewer than the previous year, when there were 129,897.

Farmers say that one of the reasons for this decline is prolonged uncertainty in the market.

To encourage production, the Ministry of Agriculture provides farmers with a subsidy of 90 euros per year for each cow. For every liter of milk, they receive between 2 and 7 cents, depending on quality.

Although Kosovo imports around one-third of the dairy products it consumes, local farmers have faced difficulties selling their production. This shows that the problem is not determined solely by the amount of milk produced.

Prices, the use of substitute products, imports, the way the industry is supplied with raw materials and the market’s ability to absorb domestic production are elements of a more complex chain. / RFE

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The Central Market Surveillance Inspectorate (IQMT) has continued inspections of the Kosovo market to check dairy products.

Inspections were carried out in supermarkets across the regions of Prizren, Ferizaj, Vushtrri and Gjilan. During the checks, inspectors found products at several retail outlets that the Food and Veterinary Agency (AUV) had banned from sale.

The products removed from supermarket shelves are: VIDAS Milk 3.2% – 1 L; Holla Cooking Cream – 1 L; Garden Milk – 1 L; VIDAS Cream Peppers – 1 kg; Magic Cream – 400 g; Schmand 18% – 800 g; 100% White Cheese – 250 g.

IQMT instructed economic operators to remove these items from sales areas immediately, in compliance with the decisions of the responsible institutions and the legislation in force.

At the same time, the inspectorate called on economic operators to comply without delay with orders to withdraw banned products.

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The Central Market Surveillance Inspectorate (IQMT), in cooperation with the Food and Veterinary Agency (AUV), today launched a wide-ranging inspection campaign covering every link in the commercial chain for milk and dairy products. The Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation (MINTI) announced that the operation will extend to producers, importers, distributors, warehouses, wholesalers and retail outlets.

The inspections were initiated based on findings submitted by the Food and Veterinary Agency. The authorities stress that the use of powdered milk and palm fat when these ingredients are not listed on the label, or when they are used in quantities greater than those declared, constitutes a violation of consumer protection and information rules.

The inspections will focus on whether the product’s actual composition matches the information on its packaging, including the presence of milk powder, palm oil and other components. The accuracy of the product name, product presentation, as well as the documentation and traceability of raw materials, will also be verified. Particular attention will be paid to goods held for commercial purposes or displayed for sale.

According to the official announcement, products whose actual contents, based on analyses and verifications, do not correspond to what is stated on their labels will be removed from the market in accordance with legal procedures. Administrative measures and sanctions will be imposed on economic operators found to be in violation, ranging from fines to other measures permitted under the applicable legal framework.

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, together with the Food and Veterinary Agency, presented the results of an extensive inspection of the dairy sector on 04.08.2026. The data, published at 10:59, show that dozens of irregularities were identified, the most common involving the presence or non-declaration of palm oil in products.

Food and Veterinary Agency Chief Executive Bekim Hoxha announced that the operation was conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture between April and July 2026. According to him, the inspections were aimed at verifying food safety, product authenticity and compliance of labels with the legislation in force, as well as protecting consumers.

For this process, the Food and Veterinary Agency deployed its inspection and laboratory capacities across the country. A total of 495 samples were collected as part of the operation and tested for various authenticity and food safety parameters.

The analyses covered fat and protein content, the presence of palm oil and vegetable fats, as well as starch and powdered milk. Hoxha said the results had provided a clear, comprehensive and evidence-based picture of the actual state of the sector, describing the operation as one of the broadest and most comprehensive official inspections conducted in the dairy industry to date.

The inspections and laboratory analyses identified a total of 93 ingredient-related cases of non-compliance. The presence or declaration of palm oil was identified in 46 cases, accounting for almost half of all irregularities and making it the most common problem detected during the operation.

According to the results from the Food and Veterinary Agency’s laboratory, in more than 91% of non-compliance cases, ingredients were not listed on the label in accordance with the requirements of the legislation in force. Hoxha said that, as a result, consumers had not received complete and accurate information about the contents of the products they purchased. He stressed that palm oil, vegetable fats and other alternative ingredients must be clearly declared so that consumer information is accurate and transparent.

The Food and Veterinary Agency’s chief executive clarified that the inspections were not directed against producers but were undertaken to ensure transparency and consumer protection.

Acting Minister of Agriculture Armend Muja said the institutions’ aim was not to determine who was at fault but to bring the truth to light. He said findings must be supported by evidence, laboratory analyses, technical documentation and proper administrative procedures, which is why the inspections were conducted in a coordinated, documented and comprehensive manner.

According to Muja, official inspection reports in a democratic state are not an end in themselves but serve as tools for protecting the public interest. He underlined that institutions must not limit themselves to merely identifying violations, as they have an obligation to respond lawfully, proportionately and effectively.

Muja announced that the Food and Veterinary Agency’s report and findings would first be handled in accordance with the procedure provided for under the Law on Administrative Procedure. He said that, as of that day, a decision would be issued regarding the procedure for enforcing the law in the cases covered by the report.

The acting minister stressed that the Food and Veterinary Agency tests the production, operations and milk of Kosovo farmers. According to him, the quality of farmers’ milk is guaranteed through official inspections, and he described it as the best milk.

However, Muja said this quality is not always preserved after the milk is delivered, which is why the official inspections focused specifically on processors and distributors. He said that, according to the reports, some of them had betrayed the trust of farmers and consumers.

Muja said he had asked the Food and Veterinary Agency to act proportionately, taking into account the Republic of Kosovo’s vital interest in protecting consumers, public health, farmers and approved operations. He added that the country needs the production of milk and dairy products, while support should be provided only to approved operations and to partners or processors willing to cooperate with the Food and Veterinary Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Earlier the same day, at 09:31, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development had announced that, in cooperation with the Food and Veterinary Agency, it would organize a press conference to present the results of the official inspections in the dairy sector.

The announcement published on the ministry’s official Facebook page said the conference would begin at 10:00 and would be held at the Food and Veterinary Agency’s premises. The findings of the final report and the measures to be taken to protect consumers and strengthen food safety were scheduled to be presented during the conference.

Although the announcement about the conference was general, Kosovo’s dairy sector had received increased attention in recent weeks following concerns about the quality and labeling of some dairy products on the market.

The company Vita was at the center of the debate after the Food and Veterinary Agency conducted official inspections and laboratory analyses to verify whether its products complied with the legislation in force. The case had prompted numerous reactions.

The Vita dairy company had said its products met the standards and had repeatedly requested the publication of the laboratory results. The company had argued that transparency was in the interests of consumers and producers, while expressing concern that delays in publishing the results were damaging its reputation and consumer trust.

For its part, the Food and Veterinary Agency had explained that the official results could not be made public until all laboratory and administrative procedures had been completed. The agency had stressed that the inspections were conducted as part of regular oversight to ensure food safety and compliance with the legislation in force.

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD), together with the Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA), has announced that it will hold a press conference to present the results of official inspections conducted in the dairy sector.

The event is scheduled to take place at the FVA premises, starting at 10:00, according to an announcement published by the ministry on its official Facebook page.

The conference is expected to disclose the report’s conclusions and the measures the institutions will take to protect consumers and improve food safety.

The announcement comes at a time when dairy products in Kosovo have come under increased scrutiny following concerns over the quality and labeling of certain items on the market.

One of the companies involved in this debate is Vita. The FVA has conducted official inspections and laboratory analyses to verify whether its products comply with the requirements of the legislation in force.

The issue has prompted reactions from the parties involved.

Vita dairy has insisted that its products meet the standards and has repeatedly called for the laboratory test results to be published. According to the company, transparency serves both consumers and producers. It has also said that the delay in publishing the results is damaging its reputation and affecting consumer confidence.

Meanwhile, the FVA has clarified that the official results cannot be made public until all laboratory and administrative procedures have been completed. The agency stressed that these checks are part of its regular oversight, which is intended to guarantee food safety and enforce the legislation in force.

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Krasniqi said that, after a long debate between producers and processors, a temporary agreement had been reached. According to him, all parties have committed to ensuring that the Ministry publishes the results of the laboratory analyses of the samples taken as soon as possible.

He also said it had been clarified that the samples were not taken only from “Vita,” but also from other dairies. Meanwhile, according to him, “Vita” will begin collecting milk starting tonight.

“After a lengthy discussion between producers and processors, in this case also with the dairy ‘Vita’ and the minister, all actors committed that the Ministry, through the AUV, would publish the results from the samples taken as soon as possible. It was said that the reason for the delay in the results is related to the analysis process and that it is not an issue concerning only the dairy ‘Vita,’ but that samples have also been taken from other dairies. ‘Vita’ committed that starting tonight it will begin collecting milk from farmers, for the sake of fairness and as part of the temporary agreement,” Krasniqi said.

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The protest began at 13:00. The farmers arrived with tractors and work vehicles, while the atmosphere was accompanied by the constant sound of horns.

During the gathering, they poured milk first in the ministry’s courtyard and then near the institution.

When the protesters tried to get closer to the ministry, there were several verbal clashes with police officers, but this did not stop them from moving up near the building.

At the protest, banners could also be seen bearing the slogans: “The farmer is not the enemy,” “Don’t touch jobs,” “Don’t leave us without bread,” “Our work, our right,” and others.

Fidan Krasniqi, a representative of the Dairy Producers Association, spoke about the reasons for organizing the protest.

Krasniqi: For a year now, we have been demanding equal competition

“We have gathered in front of the Ministry of Agriculture as the association of milk producers in support of our farmers, our membership, the collection points, all stakeholders, interest groups, because we are the producers of this country and we produce milk for this country, for this population. For a year now, we have been knocking on the doors of the state, informing the relevant ministries about the situation created in this sector and asking that measures be taken to guarantee investment and the safety of our products so that we have equal competition and not imports at subsidized prices from Serbia, Bosnia, North Macedonia and the entire region. All of you are witnesses to these products and accuse us as to why those products are sold on our shelves at very low prices,” Krasniqi said.

Another participant in the protest, Kushtrim Tigani, called for the publication of results related to the presence of powdered milk.

Tigani: The Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Veterinary Agency should come out with the results

“As the largest dairy in Kosovo, we collect more than 50% of Kosovo’s milk. All these farmers bring us more than 100,000 liters of milk per day. I call on some Facebook soldiers who are coming out and smearing this hardworking farmer and all those farmers who produce milk and process milk, and I urge the Minister of Agriculture and the Food and Veterinary Agency to publish as soon as possible the results of what they found regarding the presence of powdered milk, because there is no powdered milk and they know there is no powdered milk. Let them come out with the results as soon as possible, because even for the analysis of ‘Vita’ milk it takes weeks for the result to come out,” Tigani said.

After the protest ended, the protesters left with their vehicles. Meanwhile, a meeting is currently taking place between the farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture, and statements are expected afterward.

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He stressed that farmers are being pushed toward such extreme actions as a form of protest because of the problems they have been facing in selling their products.

“The caretaker government, with a hostile approach, is directly targeting local producers, the welfare of the farmer, his family and our entire economy.

I call on the institutions to reflect and to take the farmers’ demands seriously and to compensate for the damage caused.

They should not treat them as opponents, but as partners in the country’s economic development,” he wrote.

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As a sign of revolt, they poured milk onto the ground during the protest, after its collection was temporarily halted four days ago, on the eve of the temporary closure of the Vita dairy.

The protesters presented three concrete demands: the immediate resumption of milk collection, the swift publication of test results to remove suspicions surrounding domestic products, and the restoration of the previous milk price to prevent farms from going bankrupt.

During the gathering, the farmers demanded that the state treat them “with dignity and respect.” It was also said there that “Vita’s milk belongs to Kosovo, not Serbia.”

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