Kosovo dairy industry blocked from EU market over missing veterinary certification

Kosovo’s dairy producers have invested in modern factories and receive state subsidies, yet their milk, cheese and other products cannot be sold in the European Union. The barrier is not a lack of capacity or quality, but the absence of an EU‑recognised veterinary certificate, which the Agency of Food and Veterinary (AUV) has not yet been authorised to issue. Without the certificate, exports remain confined to the domestic market of about 1.6 million people and limited neighbouring markets.

Industry representatives warn that the restriction creates a chain reaction: farms face surplus milk, factories cannot utilise full capacity and growth opportunities stay blocked. Gani Durmishi of the Kosovo Dairy Industry Association said, “Problems within the Food and Veterinary Agency have blocked food product exports. We only need the certificate, because we have the capacity.” The AUV has not met EU criteria for a recognised veterinary system, and the EU office in Pristina has not provided a response regarding the specific shortcomings or a timeline for approval.