Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The Finnish market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats contracted in value between 2018 and 2021, with its size falling from $113.4 million to $97.2 million. This drop coincided with a steady decline in production, which decreased from $269.8 million to $238.0 million over the same period, while exports also softened.

A clear reversal began in 2022, as production jumped to $270.1 million, lifting the market size above $100 million again. The expansion continued through 2024, with production rising to $315.3 million and the market reaching $117.0 million, bolstered by a concurrent increase in export values.

Imports remained a small and stable part of the market throughout these years, fluctuating between $4.6 million and $6.3 million. Consequently, the overall market trajectory was predominantly shaped by the performance of domestic production and foreign sales.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Finland's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 241.4 million US dollars, marking a modest 7.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 4.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 269.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Finland ranked 27th globally in the production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats.

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

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

Finland's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 125.4 thousand tonnes were produced, showing a slight improvement of 2.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production surged by 147.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 35.3%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Finland

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Finland's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 35 335 tonnes, reflecting a substantial uptick of 18.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 2.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 29 719 tonnes, following the largest decline of 10.9% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands were the top buyers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Finland, accounting for 38.7%, 19.9%, and 14.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 73.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Finland's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 148.4 million US dollars, down by 7.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 162.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—France, Sweden, and the Netherlands—together accounted for 72.2% of the total export value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Finland.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Finland

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, Finland's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 990 tonnes, corresponding to a robust year-on-year uptick of 22.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 11.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 808 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 24.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Germany, and Denmark were the main sources for imports in kind, accounting for 43.2%, 27.9%, and 12.7% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 83.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Finland's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume was valued at 4.6 million US dollars, constituting a strong year-on-year decline of 15.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24.7%, with an average annual decline of 9.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms, accounting for 32.5%, 32.0%, and 14.6% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 79.1% of total import flows.

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

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