Antibiotics market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Danish antibiotics market contracted from 197.1 million US dollars to 119.6 million. This decline was driven by new regulatory pressures, including the 2018 EU Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulation which set stricter rules for antibiotic use in animals, and national action plans targeting reduced human consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further decreased antibiotic prescribing in primary care, deepening the market reduction.

Following the pandemic, the market rebounded to 175.2 million dollars in 2022. This recovery was supported by a post‑pandemic rise in antibiotic usage due to winter RS‑virus and influenza outbreaks, alongside the June 2022 EU‑wide ban on medicinal zinc in piglet production, which increased demand for antibiotics as a substitute. By 2023, the market eased to 162.3 million dollars as higher exports offset continued growth in swine antibiotic consumption.

In 2024, the market volume fell sharply to 95.9 million dollars, primarily due to a substantial drop in domestic production. During this period, antibiotic usage stabilized, and the Danish Medicines Agency activated contingency plans to maintain supply, avoiding critical shortages.

Production antibiotics in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Denmark's antibiotic production was valued at 315.1 million US dollars, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 315.0 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in the same year at 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Antibiotic production in Denmark declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Denmark produced 567 tonnes of antibiotics, representing a gradual decline of 9.9% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 63.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 28.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports antibiotics from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Export volumes varied 3.1 times from the low in 2018 to the high in 2019. In 2021, Denmark exported 172.0 tonnes of antibiotics, corresponding to a drop of 6.6% versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 502.8 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2020 at 63.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 210.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark traded antibiotics with many countries. Even the largest destinations—Italy, Switzerland, and the United States—together represented only 45.2% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign antibiotic supplies from Denmark increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 209.5 million US dollars, corresponding to a slight advance of 0.6% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 18%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, Ireland (27.5% of exports in value terms), the United States (18.0% of exports in value terms), and Greece (14.9% of exports in value terms) formed the key group of partners for Denmark's antibiotic exports in value terms, jointly representing 60.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports antibiotics to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

Denmark imported a total of 70.7 tonnes of antibiotics in 2021, representing a substantial drop of 20.8% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 16.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 64.3 tonnes, while the maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 89.3 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 24.0%, and the largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 38.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China (43.5% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (23.6% of imports in kind), and Switzerland (21.8% of imports in kind) were the main markets for Denmark's antibiotic imports in kind, together accounting for 88.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, the volume of antibiotic imports into Denmark reached 14.0 million US dollars, which is 22.0% lower than in 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 38.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 26.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Over 2018–2021, China and Switzerland consistently accounted for 87.4% of Denmark's total antibiotic imports in value terms, indicating a high degree of concentration alongside a long tail of smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021