The production facility of EkoNiva Group, Russia’s largest dairy holding, located in Shchuchye village of Voronezh oblast has obtained a permit for exporting cheeses and other dairy items to China. The enterprise manufactures several types of semi-hard cheeses, premium hard Dürr Classic and Dürr Zeller cheeses, sour cream and curds.

The cheese plant passed the corresponding audit and completed all the required procedures. Receiving an export permit confirms that the facility meets high quality standards and ensures the safety of its products. EkoNiva plans to send the first batch of cheeses to China in the summer of 2026 and establish regular supplies further on.

The Group showcased its hard and semi-hard cheeses at multiple industry-specific trade fairs and business missions in the People’s Republic of China, always evoking a positive response. There is a growing awareness of the nutritional value of food in the country, and a major benefit of the company’s milk products is their natural composition and consistently high quality. Besides, dairy items are increasingly becoming part of Chinese families’ diets under the influence of Western consumption culture. Rich in protein, calcium, minerals and vitamins, cheese is rapidly gaining popularity both as an independent product and an ingredient for pizza, sandwiches and other dishes.

EkoNiva’s cheeses are in demand both in Russia and the CIS countries. Shchuchye plant is certified for the export of products to the Customs Union members, as well as to Abkhazia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The facility’s output exceeds 6 tonnes of cheese per day. The cheese milk, which is selected based on 29 compliance parameters, is supplied from the Group’s own farms located close to the plant. In September 2025, the 6-month-aged Dürr Classic, 12-month-aged Dürr Classic and Dürr Zeller premium hard cheeses won top prizes at the Le Mondial du Fromage international cheese and dairy contest in France. The 15-month-aged Dürr Platinum cheese was awarded a silver medal.

EkoNiva’s dairy hit the Chinese market in 2020, represented mainly by UHT milk of various fat content from the classic and Professional Line series as well as 10% fat UHT cream. The products are sold through retail chains in Northeast China, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Henan, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and other provinces. They are also marketed on E-commerce platforms in most regions of the country. In 2025, EkoNiva launched its branded shop in Xi’an, in a high traffic area: next to it are the Academy of Social Sciences, an underground station and a large shopping mall. The visitors can purchase UHT milk along with coffee drinks made using the company’s dairy.