In the words of entrepreneur Khrystyna Zakrevska: ‘We managed to create something good for ourselves and for others. Step by step, we built up a large cheese dairy’

Khrystyna Zakrevska, founder of the family-run craft cheese dairy ‘BUDZ BARAN’ in the Hutsul region, started her journey with her husband during the 2019 lockdown, armed with just 10 liters of milk and $50. Today, the family processes 15 tons of milk each month, sourced from local farmers, and is actively developing recipes for the export market. About the development of a family cheese manufacturing and the restoration of traditions — read in the story of Khystyna Zakrevska.

‘The idea was my husband’s. We position ourselves as 'producers of cheese from happy cows’ milk.' The cows in the Hutsul region graze freely; they roam wherever they like, eat fresh grass and are supplemented only with pure hay without additives. From this milk, we craft our cheese. Here, in Shepit village, most people in the area had a tradition of keeping cows. We decided that this tradition was worth preserving, so we started buying milk from local residents. In doing so, we also aimed to sustain the Hutsul tradition of cheesemaking. Traditional Carpathian cheeses include brynza, budz, and vurda, and we worked on modernizing and refining these recipes. That’s how the idea for our cheese dairy was born. 

Later we posted an ad in local groups and on social media. We spent half the night replying to messages and were amazed by the overwhelming response. Starting with a small 10-liter pot, we gradually grew our production. We began investing in equipment. For about a year, we worked from home and realized there was a real demand for our cheese. We managed to create something good for ourselves and for others. Step by step, we built up to where we are today — a large cheese dairy developed with significant investment, effort, resilience, and dedication. 

We currently buy 700 liters of milk daily, which adds up to about 15 tons per month. We source it from 60 households. Recently, another 10 partners from a neighboring village joined us. Currently, we sell through social media and a few craft shops across Ukraine. Next summer, we plan to scale up milk processing and are exploring export opportunities and getting our products onto the shelves of national supermarkets. 

Later we received a larger grant from UN Women Ukraine and The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) by participating in the project of NGO ‘The Rural Women’s Business Network’. Thanks to this grant, we purchased a solid fuel boiler and installed heating. There was even enough left for refrigeration equipment — three refrigerators and a freezer. The boiler’s most important contribution wasn’t just keeping us warm during the winter; it also allowed us to keep working during blackouts in the spring. This support made a huge difference. The solid fuel boiler was highly economical, enabling us to stay warm and produce cheese daily without fail. We never let down the people who supplied us with milk.

Unfortunately, people are afraid to start something of their own. But we did it! We took the leap and showed them a positive example. Shortly after, a craft meat production opened not far from us. They received a grant and began developing actively. Now, we already have two gastronomic tourist locations in our area. There’s also a beautiful waterfall nearby. We have plenty to attract tourists—except a proper road. Despite this, people are coming now. Before the cheese dairy existed, no one came! 

We want to build a cultural heritage space where visitors can not only taste cheese but also explore traditional crafts. We plan to invite ceramicists, artisans who make the iconic cheese horses, and woodcarvers for workshops. We aim to support the development of traditions that had been forgotten but are now gaining renewed interest. People are becoming intensely curious about them. We need to not only preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage but also develop, promote, and appreciate it. And we’d like to do this here in our village’.

Read the full story: https://www.shemade.marieclaire.ua/en/portfolio/christina-zakrevska-craft-cheese-dairy-budz-baran/

The project 'She Made: discovery & recovery of Ukraine' was created by Marie Claire Business Ukraine and UN Women Ukraine funded by The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF). WPHF mobilizes critical support for local and grassroots civil society organizations working on women, peace and security and humanitarian action. WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism supporting quality interventions designed to enhance the capacity of women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.

This publication is produced with funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included does not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

Photos: UN Women Ukraine/Nadiia Berska