Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Lithuanian butter and dairy fats market expanded in volume, rising from 14 540 t to 18 935 t. This growth occurred alongside stable milk procurement prices and ongoing improvements in dairy herd genetics, feeding quality, and farm management practices, which supported consistent production efficiency.

Market volume contracted sharply to 14 088 t in 2021 before recovering to 15 502 t in 2022. The latter year was marked by a surge in market value to 93.7 million $, largely due to rising dairy product prices across Europe. Reduced milk yields in key producing countries like Germany, Sweden, and Finland tightened raw material supply, pushing up costs for milk powders and fats, which translated into higher consumer prices for butter and spreads.

Market volume continued to fluctuate, reaching 17 893 t in 2023 before declining to 15 462 t in 2024, whereas the market value rose steadily to 106.7 million $, indicating ongoing price increases amidst variable demand.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2019, Lithuania's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats production reached its lowest value at 58 504 K $ US. The following year, in 2020, output peaked at 79 182 K $ US, representing a significant 35.3% increase. However, in 2021, production declined sharply to 67 182 K $ US, marking a 15.2% decrease from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ 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

Lithuania's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats showed a mixed trend from 2018 to 2021. After rising for two years, output peaked in 2020 at 20 086 t, reflecting a 27.1% increase. However, in 2021, production fell to 13 841 t, a substantial 31.1% drop from the previous year. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 11.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.9%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Lithuania's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats fluctuated between 2018 and 2021. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 4 358 t, a 17.2% decline. The following year, in 2020, exports surged to a peak of 6 452 t, a 48.1% increase. In 2021, exports slightly decreased to 6 077 t, down 5.8% year-over-year. Over the entire period, exports grew by 15.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Lithuania's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports in volume terms were Saudi Arabia (20.8% of exports), Latvia (18.8% of exports), and Poland (11.0% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 50.5% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Lithuania's export value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats varied significantly from 2018 to 2021. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 19 592 K $ US, a sharp 37.9% decline. The following year, in 2020, exports rebounded with a 46.9% increase. In 2021, exports stood at 26 435 K $ US, showing a moderate 8.2% decrease from the previous year. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 16.2%, with an average annual decline of 5.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the top contributors to Lithuania's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports in value terms were Latvia (20.4% of exports), Saudi Arabia (20.2% of exports), and the Netherlands (11.6% of exports). Collectively, these three partners represented 52.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

Lithuania's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats have been on an upward trajectory. In 2021, imports reached 6 324 t, a 19.3% increase from the previous year, marking the third consecutive year of growth. From 2018 to 2021, imports rose by 49.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the primary sources for Lithuania's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports in volume terms were Poland (63.0% of imports), the Netherlands (7.3% of imports), and Belgium (6.3% of imports). Together, these three countries made up 76.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Lithuania's import value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats showed a recovery after a two-year decline. In 2020, imports hit their lowest point at 23 353 K $ US, a 6.6% decrease. The following year, in 2021, imports surged to 32 022 K $ US, a substantial 37.1% increase from 2020. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 22.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the key partners for Lithuania's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports in value terms were Poland (59.8% of imports), Germany (8.4% of imports), and the Netherlands (7.5% of imports). These three countries jointly accounted for 75.7% of total import value.

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

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