Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for butter and dairy spreads in Czechia fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 76,722 tonnes in 2019 before falling to approximately 62,500 tonnes in 2020 and 2021, then recovering to over 73,000 tonnes in 2022 and 2023.

In value terms, the market contracted from $285.4 million in 2018 to $248.4 million in 2020, then rebounded to $290.9 million in 2021, reflecting changes in prices and trade flows.

By 2024, a shortage of dairy fat on European markets—exacerbated by the spread of cattle fever—increased raw material costs and forced Czech dairies to import more cream. New EU labeling rules required that only products with at least 80% milk fat be called 'butter', reshaping the spread segment. Despite higher prices, domestic butter consumption still rose by 5.5% that year.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Czechia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Czechia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 151.0 million US dollars, marking a 4.1% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 24.7%, with an average annual decline of 9.0%.

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

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, Czechia produced 37.5 thousand tonnes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, which represents a 31.6% drop compared to the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 28%, with an average annual decline of 10.4%. The highest output was recorded in 2019 at 54.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 11.4%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Czechia exported 2,437 tonnes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, showing a sharp decline of 26.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 24.2%, with an average annual decrease of 8.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 3,299 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 15.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia, Italy, and Hungary consistently led as the top destinations for Czech exports in volume terms. Slovakia accounted for 35.8% of exports, Italy for 33.1%, and Hungary for 7.0%, together making up 76.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Czechia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports totaled 9.7 million US dollars, a significant 52.7% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 43.8%, with an average annual decline of 17.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 20.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 35.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia, Italy, and Hungary remained the key markets for Czech exports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 78.3% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Czechia's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 27,423 tonnes, reflecting a moderate increase of 8.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 33.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Poland, Germany, and Slovakia were the main suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Czechia in volume terms. Poland contributed 42.9% of imports, Germany 29.5%, and Slovakia 13.4%, together accounting for 85.9% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Czechia's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value stood at 107.1 million US dollars, showing a limited contraction of 7.7% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The highest value was in 2018 at 133.6 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 14.9%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Poland, Germany, and Slovakia consistently served as the primary sources for Czech imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 42.7% of imports, Germany for 29.8%, and Slovakia for 12.0%, together making up 84.4% of total import flows.

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

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