When people talk about Ukrainian exports, grain, sunflower oil, and steel are usually the first products that come to mind. Yet increasingly, Ukraine is making its mark on international markets through value-added food products that compete with global brands not only on price, but also on quality.
One such example is Shchedro. Well known to Ukrainian consumers for its mayonnaise, sauces, and ketchup, the brand today exports its products to 37 countries worldwide and continues to expand into new markets across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Behind this success story stand decades of manufacturing expertise, continuous adaptation to international market requirements, and the ability to remain resilient even during some of the most challenging periods in Ukraine’s modern history.
One such example is Shchedro. Well known to Ukrainian consumers for its mayonnaise, sauces, and ketchup, the brand today exports its products to 37 countries worldwide and continues to expand into new markets across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Behind this success story stand decades of manufacturing expertise, continuous adaptation to international market requirements, and the ability to remain resilient even during some of the most challenging periods in Ukraine’s modern history.
A Story That Began More Than 80 Years Ago
The company’s roots date back to the middle of the twentieth century. The production facilities that are now part of Shchedro have been operating since 1944 in Zaporizhzhia and since 1946 in Lviv. The Shchedro brand itself was established more than 30 years ago and has gradually become one of the most recognizable names in Ukraine’s food industry.
Today, the company is one of the leaders of Ukraine’s oil and fat industry, serving three key sectors simultaneously: B2C, B2B, and HoReCa. Its product portfolio includes mayonnaise, ketchup, sauces, mustard, margarine, and specialized fat-based solutions for the food industry.
However, the journey toward international recognition has been just as important as its success in the domestic market.
Today, the company is one of the leaders of Ukraine’s oil and fat industry, serving three key sectors simultaneously: B2C, B2B, and HoReCa. Its product portfolio includes mayonnaise, ketchup, sauces, mustard, margarine, and specialized fat-based solutions for the food industry.
However, the journey toward international recognition has been just as important as its success in the domestic market.
How a Ukrainian Brand Schedro Entered International Markets
Like many Ukrainian manufacturers, Shchedro began its export journey by targeting neighboring markets.
The first destinations were CIS countries, where consumers shared similar culinary traditions and taste preferences. Later, the company secured its first international contracts with partners in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region.
But it soon became clear that successful exporting involves much more than simply shipping existing products abroad.
Every market has its own requirements regarding recipes, flavor profiles, packaging, and even product formats. This realization led the company to prioritize flexibility and adaptation.
“We gradually expanded our export geography by adapting our products, recipes, and packaging to meet the requirements of different markets,” the company explains.
Today, Shchedro exports to 37 countries around the world. The European Union, the Middle East, and Africa are among its priority markets, while Asia is viewed as one of the most promising regions for future growth.
International expansion has long ceased to be a separate business function for Shchedro. Instead, it has become an integral part of the company’s corporate culture. The team regularly participates in the world’s leading food industry exhibitions, including SIAL, Gulfood, Anuga, PLMA, and other major international trade events.
The first destinations were CIS countries, where consumers shared similar culinary traditions and taste preferences. Later, the company secured its first international contracts with partners in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region.
But it soon became clear that successful exporting involves much more than simply shipping existing products abroad.
Every market has its own requirements regarding recipes, flavor profiles, packaging, and even product formats. This realization led the company to prioritize flexibility and adaptation.
“We gradually expanded our export geography by adapting our products, recipes, and packaging to meet the requirements of different markets,” the company explains.
Today, Shchedro exports to 37 countries around the world. The European Union, the Middle East, and Africa are among its priority markets, while Asia is viewed as one of the most promising regions for future growth.
International expansion has long ceased to be a separate business function for Shchedro. Instead, it has become an integral part of the company’s corporate culture. The team regularly participates in the world’s leading food industry exhibitions, including SIAL, Gulfood, Anuga, PLMA, and other major international trade events.
Photo: Schedro team on Gulfood 2026, Dubai, UAE
Why International Buyers Choose Ukrainian Products
In today’s competitive global marketplace, offering an attractive price is no longer enough. Buyers are looking for consistency, quality, and reliable long-term partnerships.
This is exactly where Shchedro has built its competitive advantage.
One of the company’s key strengths is complete control over the production process, supported by a dedicated R&D department that enables the development and adaptation of products for different markets and customer requirements.
There is also one distinctive feature that sets the brand apart even among Ukrainian manufacturers.
Shchedro is the only producer in Ukraine that manufactures mayonnaise using real liquid egg yolks. This technology gives the product its distinctive taste and has become one of the reasons behind the brand’s strong recognition among consumers.
Another important factor contributing to customer trust is compliance with international standards. The company’s products are certified according to ISO, HACCP, Halal, and Kosher requirements, enabling access to diverse markets and facilitating cooperation with international partners.
This is exactly where Shchedro has built its competitive advantage.
One of the company’s key strengths is complete control over the production process, supported by a dedicated R&D department that enables the development and adaptation of products for different markets and customer requirements.
There is also one distinctive feature that sets the brand apart even among Ukrainian manufacturers.
Shchedro is the only producer in Ukraine that manufactures mayonnaise using real liquid egg yolks. This technology gives the product its distinctive taste and has become one of the reasons behind the brand’s strong recognition among consumers.
Another important factor contributing to customer trust is compliance with international standards. The company’s products are certified according to ISO, HACCP, Halal, and Kosher requirements, enabling access to diverse markets and facilitating cooperation with international partners.
Resilience Through War
Russia’s full-scale invasion became one of the greatest challenges in the company’s history.
Logistics, raw material supplies, production processes, and export routes all had to be reassessed and adapted to an entirely new reality.
The situation was particularly difficult given that one of the company’s production facilities is located in Zaporizhzhia, a region that continues to face regular attacks.
Despite these circumstances, Shchedro succeeded in maintaining production, preserving its team, and fulfilling commitments to international partners.
Today, the company continues to face challenges such as rising raw material costs, increasing logistics expenses, higher packaging costs, and intensified competition in global markets.
Its response has been diversification—both in export destinations and in business opportunities.
Since 2022, the company has completely ceased operations in aggressor-state markets and redirected its efforts toward Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Logistics, raw material supplies, production processes, and export routes all had to be reassessed and adapted to an entirely new reality.
The situation was particularly difficult given that one of the company’s production facilities is located in Zaporizhzhia, a region that continues to face regular attacks.
Despite these circumstances, Shchedro succeeded in maintaining production, preserving its team, and fulfilling commitments to international partners.
Today, the company continues to face challenges such as rising raw material costs, increasing logistics expenses, higher packaging costs, and intensified competition in global markets.
Its response has been diversification—both in export destinations and in business opportunities.
Since 2022, the company has completely ceased operations in aggressor-state markets and redirected its efforts toward Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
More Than Mayonnaise
While mayonnaise and sauces remain the company’s most recognized consumer products, Shchedro is also actively developing professional solutions for the food industry.
Particular attention is being given to functional fat products used in confectionery, bakery, and other food manufacturing applications.
The company believes this segment holds significant potential for further international expansion and could become one of its key growth drivers in the coming years.
Particular attention is being given to functional fat products used in confectionery, bakery, and other food manufacturing applications.
The company believes this segment holds significant potential for further international expansion and could become one of its key growth drivers in the coming years.
Looking Ahead
The next stage of Shchedro’s development is focused on expanding its product portfolio, entering new markets, and strengthening its position in countries where the brand is already established.
Particular attention is being paid to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East—regions where demand for high-quality food products continues to grow steadily.
The company is confident that the future of Ukrainian exports belongs to manufacturers capable of combining quality, innovation, and flexibility.
Shchedro’s story demonstrates that Ukrainian products can compete successfully not only at home but also on the global stage.
Particular attention is being paid to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East—regions where demand for high-quality food products continues to grow steadily.
The company is confident that the future of Ukrainian exports belongs to manufacturers capable of combining quality, innovation, and flexibility.
Shchedro’s story demonstrates that Ukrainian products can compete successfully not only at home but also on the global stage.
