craft producers

Walnuts are an almost zero-waste crop. And income can be generated not only from selling the kernels. Oil is pressed from them, macerates are produced, while the press cake left after pressing is processed into flour and other food products. Even green walnuts, partitions, shells and leaves can be put to use. Thus, a single harvest can provide a producer with several value-added products at once.

Historian and serviceman from Kharkiv Region Viktor Yesipov had been searching for original beer flavours and dreaming of his own brewery since his student years — one that would stand out from conventional breweries through its authenticity. Comparing mass-market beer with beer served in pubs, he realised that he wanted to try brewing a drink according to his own recipes, but he was not able to bring the idea to life immediately.

Green Clover is a hydroponic farm in Khmelnytskyi Region that grows basil. Today, its capacity allows it to produce up to 40 kg of fresh herbs per week. But the farm did not stop at growing: some of the basil is dried and processed into powder, while surplus fresh herbs are used to make Ukrainian pesto. The farm is also experimenting with other products — it recently produced a test batch of dried tomatoes with basil.

After russia’s full-scale invasion, the Nahornyi family moved from Kyiv to the village of Zabolot in Zhytomyr Region. At the time, they had no clear understanding of what to do next. But their long-standing dream of having their own mill came to life in the new location and found support within the community.

Five years ago, energy professionals Iryna and Oleksandr Karabut could hardly have imagined that beekeeping would become their business. Having started with 10 beehives at their summer cottage, today they run an apiary near Kryvyi Rih with more than a hundred bee colonies and process all the honey they harvest.

Ivan Marakhonko, a displaced person from Donetsk region who is now serving in the military, relocated to Kyiv region back in 2018 due to active hostilities in his home region. It was then that he became interested in producing original adjika.

In autumn, there are plenty of apples in Zakarpattia. Sometimes, too many. They fall into the grass and lie beneath old trees. Until the 2000s, these apples could usually be sold for fairly good money. However, 15–20 years ago, people did not know what to do with their harvest. Old orchards began to decline, and local residents saw no point in taking care of the trees because they had stopped generating income. The work invested in them was no longer worthwhile, either financially or emotionally.

Participants in the CraftUP Ukraine educational and grant project have completed the training programme and received certificates.

The Dvir Indyka craft production business in Poltava Region raises more than 2 tonnes of turkey meat per year, of which only 20% is processed. Its product range includes sausages and frankfurters, as well as various smoked products. The farmers plan to build a fully equipped processing facility, modernise the infrastructure and produce a product unique to the Ukrainian market — jamón made from a turkey leg. To do this, they need a climate-controlled chamber.

A large-scale event, UCAB Agrotechnologies 2026. West, was held at the facilities of Zakhidnyi Buhin Lviv Region, bringing together farmers from different regions of Ukraine.

A passion for natural food and deep respect for raw ingredients are the guiding principles behind Soldattorpets Mejeri, an artisan cheesery in Sweden. The farm operates according to the principles of sustainable production. According to its owners, this approach successfully combines economic and environmental sustainability: the business must remain financially viable while working in harmony with nature.

As part of the CraftUP Ukraine educational grant programme, ten finalists have been selected to present their business ideas to the Expert Council. Following the evaluation, the most promising projects will receive funding to scale up production, implement certification, and expand into new markets.

The educational phase of CraftUP Ukraine, an educational and grant programme for craft food producers, has been successfully completed, bringing together 40 participants from 19 regions of Ukraine.

As a result of a massive Russian attack on the night of June 2, one of the destroyed facilities was the warehouse of RUTA, a bitter liqueur (balm) created from 96 botanicals collected from different regions of Ukraine. Support from Ukrainians has inspired the producers to resume production of the premium bitter liqueur.

On March 19, in Kyiv, the online edition AgroPortal.ua together with Pro-Consulting and with the support of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands presented a study of the market of craft food producers.

Craft production is actively developing in Ukraine, becoming an important element of the rural economy. At the same time, the sector remains vulnerable and needs systemic support.