Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Belarus expanded from 141.1 thousand tons to 155.4 thousand tons. This initial growth was supported by a reported 20% rise in butter production in 2018, which increased domestic availability. Government involvement through state-owned enterprises and large processing facilities provided consistent output, while Decree No. 379 established minimum export prices for dairy products, influencing export strategies. The market adapted to COVID-19 disruptions in 2020 by maintaining production levels and expanding the product assortment, which helped sustain volume.

After a slight contraction to 152.2 thousand tons in 2021 amidst ongoing geopolitical sanctions affecting trade flows, the market recovered to 157.2 thousand tons in 2022. Producers reoriented exports to alternative markets such as China and Armenia in response to Western restrictions. The most pronounced growth occurred in 2023, with market volume jumping to 177.7 thousand tons, directly linked to a 13.9% increase in dairy product sales that reflected stronger consumer demand. Throughout this period, state-backed and private companies continued to drive production and introduce new product segments.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus was one of the world's top producers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, ranking 15th globally by production volume.

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

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

Butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats production in Belarus grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 239.1 thousand tons, marking a modest increase of 3.2% compared to 2019. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 230.4 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year of 4.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Belarus was valued at 1 104 million US dollars, down 14.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 14.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 040 million US dollars, when the largest decline of 19.7% occurred. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 23.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Belarus

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Belarus exported 83 947 tons of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, a moderate increase of 7.3% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 78 267 tons, with the largest decline that year of 12.4%. Exports peaked in 2018 at 89 356 tons, when the largest increase of 11.7% was recorded.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia dominated the export structure in volume, accounting for 81.6% of total flows, while numerous smaller partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Belarus's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports totaled 387.7 million US dollars, a substantial drop of 10.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.2%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%. The highest value was in 2019 at 435.1 million US dollars, when the largest increase of 7.9% occurred.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the leading partner for Belarus's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports in value terms, holding an 83.6% share of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Belarus

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. In 2020, Belarus received 242 tons of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from abroad, a sharp rise of 116.8% year-over-year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 28 tons, when the largest decline of 77.9% was recorded. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 297.8%. From the low in 2018 to the high in 2020, import volumes varied by 8.6 times.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia was the dominant and nearly sole source for imports in volume of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Belarus, with a share of 97.5%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over the timeframe. In 2020, Belarus imported about 1.0 million US dollars of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, a 94.3% increase from 2019. The lowest value was in 2018 at 0.1 million US dollars, when the largest decline of 81.2% occurred. The largest increase was in 2019 at 331.2%. Import values peaked in 2020 and bottomed out in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 8.4 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia consistently dominated the import structure in value terms for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Belarus, accounting for 97.0% of total flows.

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

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