Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Germany contracted from 3 062 million USD to 2 343 million USD. This decline was primarily driven by growing consumer health awareness and competition from vegetable oils like olive and sunflower oil, which attracted consumers concerned about saturated fats.

The market recovered from 2021 onward, reaching 3 320 million USD in 2024. This growth was fueled by rising demand for premium and organic butter products, alongside global factors such as the EU-wide dairy fat shortage and increased worldwide butter demand, which affected prices and trade flows despite a slight drop in physical consumption.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 2 218 million US dollars, marking a moderate decrease of 4.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.4%, with an average annual decline of 7.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 945 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 21.0% decrease.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked fifth 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

Butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats production in Germany increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany produced 503.8 thousand tonnes, showing a rise of 2.6% compared to 2019. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 484.1 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.2%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany exported 156.5 thousand tonnes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, representing a slight decrease of 2.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 5.2%, with an average annual increase of 1.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 141.4 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 4.9%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 159.8 thousand tonnes, marking the largest increase of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats were distributed across a wide range of markets. The top three destinations—the Netherlands (26.3% of exports), France (12.3%), and Austria (7.8%)—together accounted for only 46.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 673.1 million US dollars, a decrease of 14.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 17.6%, with an average annual decline of 6.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 854.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany supplied butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to numerous markets. Even the largest destinations—the Netherlands, France, and Austria—together represented only 44.7% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats into Germany increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 192.0 thousand tonnes, up by 15.3% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 15.4%, with an average annual increase of 4.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 165.1 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 0.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (38.7% of imports), Ireland (38.0%), and Belgium (8.1%) were the main suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Germany, jointly accounting for 84.7% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 797.8 million US dollars, down by 3.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 970.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 15.3%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 14.5% decrease.

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

Over 2017–2020, the Netherlands (39.2% of imports in value terms), Ireland (34.5%), and Belgium (9.3%) were the primary suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Germany, together comprising 82.9% of total imports in value terms.

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

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