Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats showed considerable volume changes from 2018 to 2023. It began at 87 931 metric tons in 2018, dipped slightly the following year, then recovered to 88 830 metric tons in 2020. A pronounced contraction followed in 2021, reducing the market to 83 559 metric tons.

A turning point arrived in 2022 and 2023, with the market expanding to 84 493 and then 90 897 metric tons. This final growth to a period high was supported by a rebound in domestic production, which increased to 84 186 metric tons in 2023 after a multi-year decline, alongside elevated import levels that compensated for earlier production losses.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Switzerland ranked as the 29th largest producer of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats between 2017 and 2020.

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 Switzerland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 82 650 tonnes, reflecting a gradual year-over-year reduction of 3.3%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 88 530 tonnes, with the largest increase of 3.9% occurring that year. In contrast, the most significant decline of 3.5% was observed in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports from Switzerland increased in 2020. Exports amounted to 369 tonnes, rising by 6.2% compared to the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 82.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 43.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 347 tonnes, with the largest decline of 62.0% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore, Japan, and Saudi Arabia were the leading destinations for Switzerland's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports in kind. Singapore accounted for 21.0% of exports, Japan for 18.0%, and Saudi Arabia for 16.8%. Together, these three countries represented 55.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year reduction, the value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports from Switzerland increased in 2020. Exports totaled 4 568 thousand US dollars, marking a 38.3% rise over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, exports decreased by 55%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -23.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 303 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 45.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Singapore, Japan, and Saudi Arabia were the primary buyers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Switzerland in value terms. Singapore contributed 27.1% of export value, Japan 25.4%, and Saudi Arabia 11.2%. Collectively, these three markets comprised 63.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into Switzerland increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Import volume reached 6 548 tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 1 436.4% compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 4 116.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 248.1%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium were the main suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Switzerland in kind. Germany accounted for 37.4% of imports, the Netherlands for 21.9%, and Belgium for 18.6%. Together, these three countries made up 78.0% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into Switzerland increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Switzerland imported a total of 28 160 thousand US dollars worth of these products, representing a 979.8% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 2 029.1%, with an annualized rate of 177.2%.

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

In 2017-2020, the leading sources for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into Switzerland in value terms were Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Germany accounted for 37.4% of import value, the Netherlands for 21.8%, and Belgium for 16.6%. These three countries jointly accounted for 75.9% of total import flows.

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

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