Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

Butter production in Denmark began the period at 70,535 tons in 2018, with exports of fatty dairy products like butter and cheese providing support. After a decline in 2019 and a modest recovery in 2020, production expanded to 68,636 tons in 2021. This growth was part of a longer-term doubling since 2011, driven by higher milk prices and increased milk output following the removal of milk quotas, which lowered raw milk prices but stimulated butter manufacturing.

Elevated price levels marked 2022, as inflation, high costs for feed, energy, and gas, and constrained global milk supplies pushed market value to $258.7 million. Production continued to rise, reaching a peak of 93,384 tons in 2023, although domestic market volume contracted. By 2024, both production and market size had receded to 77,709 tons and 29,154 tons, respectively.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Denmark's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats increased in 2021 after two years of decline. The output was valued at 393.9 million US dollars, marking a 12.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 13.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 349.5 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 21.6%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2018-2021

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2018-2021

Butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats production in Denmark rose for the second consecutive year in 2021. The country produced 68,636 tonnes, showing an 8.4% increase compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, overall production decreased by 2.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 62,624 tonnes, with the largest decline also occurring that year at 11.2%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

Denmark exported 55,221 tonnes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in 2021, representing a gradual increase of 9.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 3.7%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 50,427 tonnes, with the largest decline of 5.6% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats were exported to a wide range of markets. The top three destinations—the United Kingdom (13.2% of exports in kind), the Netherlands (13.0%), and Germany (11.5%)—together accounted for 37.7% of total exports in kind. The remaining 62.3% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

After two years of contraction, Denmark's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats increased in 2021. Export value reached 314.5 million US dollars, up by 17.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 12.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 268.0 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 17.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Denmark's export structure in value terms remained highly diversified. The top three markets—Saudi Arabia (11.4% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (11.3%), and the Netherlands (11.1%)—together accounted for 33.9% of total flows. The remaining 66.1% was spread across a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

Denmark's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. The country imported approximately 17,772 tonnes, up by 3.4% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 2.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 16,577 tonnes, with the largest decline of 9.1% also occurring that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 3.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany (19.1% of imports in kind), New Zealand (18.3%), and the Netherlands (17.4%) were the largest sources of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports to Denmark. Together, they comprised 54.9% of total import 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

After two years of decline, Denmark's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats increased in 2021. Import value amounted to 85.6 million US dollars, showing a sharp gain of 30.3% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 18%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 65.7 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 27.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the Netherlands (19.6% of imports in value terms), New Zealand (19.1%), and Germany (18.5%) formed the main group of sources for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports to Denmark. Together, they accounted for 57.2% of total import flows.

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

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