EkoNiva Wins Approval for Cheese Exports to China

EkoNiva’s cheese plant in Voronezh region has obtained permission to export cheese and other dairy products to China. The company announced the approval on 15 June and plans to dispatch its first cheese shipment during summer 2026, followed by regular supplies.

Cheeses from Shchuchye

The facility is located in Shchuchye village and produces semi-hard cheeses alongside the premium hard varieties Dürr Classic and Dürr Zeller. Its wider dairy range includes sour cream and curds. According to EkoNiva, the plant produces more than six tonnes of cheese daily, using milk from nearby farms belonging to the group.

The production base

• Milk supplied by the group’s own farms.
• Selection against 29 milk-quality parameters.
• A range of semi-hard and matured hard cheeses.

The company’s announcement describes the plant’s audit and completion of the procedures required for export approval. Details are available at https://ekoniva-apk.ru/en/press/news/3155-ekoniva-s-cheese-plant-is-certified-for-export-to-china.

Building on an existing presence

The group already has a retail foothold in China. In May 2025, EkoNiva announced a branded store in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, selling UHT milk and coffee drinks made with its dairy products. The city also hosts its trading subsidiary, whose office opening was announced in January 2024. The earlier store announcement is available at https://ekoniva-apk.ru/en/press/news/3027-ekoniva-opens-a-retail-store-in-china.

The trading subsidiary supports commercial operations and brand development. At the time of the store opening, cheese was still a planned addition to the assortment, while the local team was already overseeing milk shipments by rail from Russia.

From approval to supply

The next step identified by EkoNiva is the first summer shipment. Permission, dispatch and regular availability are separate milestones: this announcement concerns market access and the company’s intended supply schedule. It does not report completed deliveries or a sales volume for the new cheese exports.

Company contact

EkoNiva-APK Holding
Telephone: +7 (473) 267-97-77
Website: https://ekoniva-apk.ru/en/