CraftUP Ukraine interviews

Serhii Tkachuk: The safety of craft products depends on consumer choice

Ukraine’s craft food sector is growing fast, yet many small producers still hesitate to formalize their activity — often out of fear of inspections. Serhii Tkachuk, Head of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, to dispel myths about state control and clarify how the regulator supports — not punishes — small producers.

Following Law No. 771, responsibility for food safety lies primarily with the market operator. The regulator applies a risk-based approach — there are no “fine collection plans.” Inspections focus on whether declared activities match actual operations.
For craft producers, the process is simple: state registration of capacity at least 10 days before starting operations. No separate operational permit is required. In 2026, registration will be further simplified through the digital eFood service.
Beyond control, the Service now has a stronger advisory role. Businesses can request consultations, and legislative interpretations are being unified across regions.
At the same time, prolonged inspection moratoriums have contributed to growth of share of low-quality products — now estimated at around 40% of food production — undermining fair competition.
For producers targeting export, compliance with national legislation and HACCP implementation are essential first steps, alongside careful review of country-specific requirements.
For consumers, the term “craft” is not a guarantee of safety.

A safe product must have:


• a registered producer and facility number;

• proper storage and hygiene conditions;

• transparent origin and ingredient information.

Always keep receipts or photos of packaging. The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection is also working to deploy mobile laboratories at Kyiv fairs to strengthen on-site control.

Read full interview in Ukrainian Сергій Ткачук: Безпечність крафтового продукту прямо залежить від вибору споживача — AgroPortal.ua

Svitlana Tsybak: about the challenges of Ukrainian craft winemaking

Craft winemaking in Ukraine has been developing rapidly since 2014. Despite the war, new producers are emerging, vineyards are being planted in different regions, and exports are developing. However, not all wine lovers can appreciate a quality product, produced mostly by hand. The culture of craft drink consumption in Ukraine is at a low level - high product prices encourage buyers to choose the cheaper imported segment

The head of the Ukrainian Craft Winemakers Association, Svitlana Tsybak, spoke about craft winemaking in Ukraine as a whole, legislative changes, achievements and problems of the industry (read full interview in Ukrainian Незважаючи на виклики українське крафтове виноробство стрімко розвивається — AgroPortal.ua):

To work legally, a winemaker must register a legal entity, obtain a license for wine production, register production facilities and have their own or leased vineyards, or an additional license for working with purchased grapes. It is also necessary to comply with production safety requirements and pay excise tax.

To obtain a small producer license, you must have your own or officially leased vineyards. The license allows wine to be made only from grapes grown in their own or rented vineyards

In terms of volume, small producers must produce up to 10,000 decaliters per year, which is approximately 120,000–130,000 bottles

Oksana Chernova: in difficult times, there is a deeper desire to explore oneself

One of the largest segments in Ukrainian craft production is cheesemaking. Regardless of the volume and size of production, Ukrainian cheesemakers win awards at the international World Cheese Awards competition, become centers of gastronomic tourism in Ukraine, and revive ancient cheesemaking recipes.

Professional cheese competitions are not only about medals and winners. For producers, they are primarily a professional assessment of product quality, and for the industry, a way to shape standards.

Now, unfortunately, some farms cannot withstand the challenges - wars, blackouts, instability. But at the same time, I see a positive trend: people continue to be interested in craft cheese, are looking for themselves in this area and do not give up the idea of ​​production. It is very indicative that very small cheese factories become more stable over time, choose a conscious path of development, while larger producers become more open to changes, learning and experiments. This is the result of systematic work: cheesemakers, despite all the difficulties, went to international training and exhibitions.

For me, it is more important to preserve the existence of those cheeses and producers that already exist and have achieved success, and to work on their sustainability. Among the restraining factors, I also see disunity instead of unity - division into "ours" and "others". This does not help the industry grow. At the same time, competition and increased cheese consumption can become strong stimulating factors. And this is our joint work - producers, experts, retailers and consumers.

Read interview in Ukrainian У складні часи у людей з’являється глибший потяг до дослідження свого продукту — AgroPortal.ua

Olga Trofimtseva: There are no statistics. How the craft market is “calculated” in Ukraine and where it is heading

There are no official statistics on the production of craft products in Ukraine, so you can only try to "count" this market through registers plus surveys of producers. 

There is a trend towards increasing craft production, but it is more like a market reformatting: craft grows where there is access to raw materials, a sales market, and logistics, and falls where there are critical security and infrastructure risks that make it impossible for producers to work.

Among the factors that stimulate the development of craft production in Ukraine, I would highlight a change in consumer behavior and demand, growing trust in local production, and the desire to consume more “local products.” The development of sales channels — social networks, marketplaces, local fairs, “boxes” and gift sets, cooperation with HoReCa — all this has enabled small craft producers to reach their consumers faster. Donor and educational and grant initiatives specifically for craft and some support programs also play a large role.

Speaking about what deterrent factors still remain, Olga Trofimtseva names the regulatory framework and food safety (HACCP, permits, inspections).

Of course, the war affects security, energy, logistics, personnel. Shortage of personnel with technological competencies and insufficient cooperation. Shortage of long and cheap money, especially for small producers, plus risk insurance.

Read full interview in Ukrainian Статистика відсутня. Як в Україні «рахується» крафтовий ринок та куди він рухається — AgroPortal.ua

Kateryna Kamysheva: For distillers, the concept of craft remains a market and ideological one, not a legal one.

There are already more than 30 distilleries operating in Ukraine. And although producers still face certain difficulties, in recent months the industry is being formed more systematically.

Today, Ukraine already has a legally defined category of small producers of alcoholic distillates. Corresponding amendments have been made to the relevant legislation, and for the first time, the state has officially singled out small distilleries as a separate group. It is important that the law uses the term “small producer of alcoholic distillates,” not “craft producer.” The concept of craft remains a market and ideological one, not a legal one.

Despite the emergence of legislative status, the regulatory burden for small producers remains significant and in many aspects close to the requirements for large enterprises.

That is why the Ukrainian Craft Distillers Association advocates for further improvement of the regulatory framework, taking into account European practice of supporting small distilleries. The plans include the creation of a separate law on small producers of alcoholic beverages, which should simplify regulation, ensure proportional requirements, and provide real development tools for the small craft sector.

• It is strategically important to develop a local raw material model that emphasizes the uniqueness of the Ukrainian product
• The most popular categories remain grain distillates - both white and aged, gin, whiskey, fruit distillates, as well as tinctures, bitters and liqueurs
• The minimum investment for full-fledged production is approximately from 250 thousand euros
• Currently, the industry is forced to develop virtually independently, although craft distillation could become part of a value-added agricultural policy

More about legislation for craft distillers, the opportunities of the industry, the problems that craft distillers most often face, and the untapped potential of local drinks in the full interview in Ukrainian В Україні вже працює понад 30 винокурень. Як розвивається галузь крафтових дистилерів? — AgroPortal.ua

Lyudmyla Honcharenko: Experience of Lviv region: legalization and cooperation of craft - the path to the economic strength of the region

The craft sector of Lviv region is gradually becoming a full-fledged part of the regional economy. The region has built a support model that combines financial instruments, cooperation, community development and promotion of local brands.

Today, there are more than 100 craft producers in Lviv region. And what is important, the sector is growing even during the war.

Among the craft industries of Lviv region, the dairy sector is the most developed, in particular cheese making. Meat delicacies also have a significant share, followed by jams and sauces.

This year, UAH 22 million was allocated from the regional budget to support agricultural producers. The main focus is on the development of livestock farming.

It is at the community level that the environment is formed in which craft either develops or remains an idea. Read the full interview in Ukrainian Досвід Львівщини: легалізація та кооперація крафту — шлях до економічної сили регіону — AgroPortal.ua

Carolien Spaans: Craft producers are an important component of community based food security

Ofcourse we cannot consider craft products as a component for global food security, but they are of key importance for the domestic market and the economy of rural areas. The pandemic and full-scale war in Ukraine have clearly shown how important local production is for the stability of regions. Our task is to create conditions under which entrepreneurs can remain and develop in villages, shaping the economy of communities. At the same time, craft producers are powerful ambassadors of Ukraine in the world: with growing international interest, their products can become part of the country's global promotion. Read full interview in Ukrainian Каролін Спаанс: Крафтові виробники — важливий складник продовольчої безпеки громад — AgroPortal.ua

Hataliya Havatiuk: craft production contributes to reducing unemployment and economic growth in Kyiv region

In 2023, with the support of the regional administration, the electronic catalog of craft producers in the Kyiv region was created, the database united about 50 producers, now it has 250 enterprises of various forms of ownership. The registered participants get prompt information about various initiatives, including financial opportunities for business development.

Effective marketing is one of the key challenges for craft producers. At the start, small businesses usually invest in expanding production, purchasing raw materials, equipment and operational processes, postponing marketing “for later”. However, this strategy often works against the producer himself. It is important that the target audience learns about the brand and product as early as possible.

Kyiv administration, together with the Kyiv Regional Employment Center, implements the government micro-grant program "Own Business" for starting or developing a business. The grant program is aimed at supporting micro- and small businesses, as the funds are issued irrevocably and are returned in the form of taxes within three years. Among the conditions are the creation of 1-2 jobs, registration of an individual entrepreneur or legal entity, and use of funds for equipment, rent or raw materials.

In addition, there is a regional program for zero interest rate reimbursement within the framework of the state program "5-7-9%. " This program is also used by craftsmen.

A new tool that we launched last year together with the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation was support for innovation activities. Market analysis showed that small entrepreneurs often neglect the protection of rights related to the protection of intellectual property rights, do not always apply for patents, and do not register trademarks. Four enterprises have already received compensation within the framework of trademark registration last year.

Read full interview in Ukrainain Досвід Київщини. Як крафтове виробництво сприяє зменшенню безробіття та економічному зростанню регіону — AgroPortal.ua

Nataliya Yakymenko: Rules for the small business - what has changed for crafters after they were defined in the law

In 2023, the adoption of amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Basic Principles and Requirements for the Safety and Quality of Food Products” was the moment when the state actually recognized the specifics of small and artisanal production and began to adjust the regulation to their real scale.

Definitions of small capacity, craft product of animal origin, and, most importantly, the logic of proportionality of requirements appeared. At the same time, these changes primarily concern food products of animal origin. For plant products and beverages, this is rather an indirect effect - through general mechanisms for registering capacities, hygiene requirements and HACCP, and not through a separate “craft status”.

Any market should work in a way that protects the consumer and at the same time does not complicate doing business. This is the essence of the changes in the legislation - less bureaucracy for small producers. For craft food products, a simplified approach applies: the manufacturer provides declarative information about the product - composition, main ingredients, technological features and traceability. One of the main requirements is that the raw materials must be of Ukrainian origin.

Read full interview in Ukrainain Правила для найменших: що змінилося для крафтярів після визначення їх у законі — AgroPortal.ua