Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats showed variable volume from 2018 to 2021, reaching a peak of 90 106 t in 2020 before declining to 86 241 t the following year. The market volume then contracted sharply in 2022 to 57 833 t, a level around which it stabilized for the remainder of the period, finishing at 58 092 t in 2024.

During the 2022-2024 period, the market's monetary value rose from 367.3 million $ US to 414.0 million $ US. This increase in value occurred alongside stable physical volume, influenced by strong global demand for natural, full-fat dairy products. Concurrently, the implementation of new EU-wide and German dairy product quality ordinances and labeling rules, such as the updated guidelines for edible fats and oils in April 2024, reinforced standards for production and protected designations like 'butter,' shaping the market environment.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

In 2020, Austria produced 76 K t of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, marking a 5.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 72 K t, which saw a decline of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Austria

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Austria exported 4 075 t of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, reflecting an 8.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 5.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest export volume occurred in 2018 at 3 692 t, while the peak was in 2019 at 4 446 t, which represented a significant 20.4% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Slovenia were the primary markets for Austria's exports in kind, accounting for 41.3%, 31.4%, and 8.0% of total flows, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 80.6% of all exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Austria's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 22.0 M $ US, showing a notable 12.7% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 6.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 25.3 M $ US, which saw a 7.5% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Italy, Germany, and Slovenia emerged as the main markets for Austria's exports in value terms, contributing 42.7%, 31.2%, and 7.5% of total flows, respectively. Combined, these three countries represented 81.3% of all export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Austria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Austria imported 18 361 t of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, which was 4.9% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 17 441 t, while the highest was in 2019 at 19 308 t, marking a 10.7% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany and the Netherlands were the dominant sources for Austria's imports in kind, accounting for 64.6% and 15.8% of total flows, respectively. Together, they made up 80.4% of all imports, with other partners contributing the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Austria's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 85.9 M $ US, indicating a significant 15.6% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.6%, with an average annual decline of 5.9%. The peak value was in 2018 at 109.8 M $ US, which saw a 6.6% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and the Netherlands clearly dominated Austria's imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.0% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller shares in comparison.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020