Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in the Netherlands contracted significantly from 377 thousand tons in 2018 to 276 thousand tons in 2021. This decline was interrupted by a sharp rebound in 2022, when consumption jumped to 399 thousand tons, followed by a stabilization at 402 thousand tons in 2023.

For 2024, available factors point to a tight supply situation influencing the market. European butter production started the year more than 2% lower than the previous year, contributing to price increases and market volatility. Strong price rises for butter in the first half of 2024 were driven by scarce inventories and supply chain factors.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands ranked as the world's seventh-largest producer 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

The Netherlands experienced a decline in butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats production for the third year in a row. In 2020, production totaled 441 K t, down 3.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 11%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 3.8%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

Butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports from the Netherlands grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 319.7 K t, a modest increase of 2.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 7.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 293.0 K t, with the largest decline of 1.7% occurring that year. In contrast, the largest increase of 6.1% was observed in 2019.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, France, and Belgium were the top destinations for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports from the Netherlands, accounting for 29.2%, 25.7%, and 14.5% of export volumes, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 69.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports from the Netherlands declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 361 M $ US, a significant drop of 10.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 18.2%, with an annualized decline of 6.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 767 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 6.1%. The largest decline of 13.8% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Belgium were the primary destinations for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports in value terms, representing 27.1%, 24.9%, and 14.3% of export value, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 66.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into the Netherlands stood at 158.7 K t, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 10.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 176.3 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 22.4%. The largest decline of 10.3% occurred in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Ireland, Germany, and Belgium were the main sources of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into the Netherlands, contributing 33.9%, 25.2%, and 14.3% of import volumes, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 73.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into the Netherlands fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 611 M $ US, a sharp decrease of 11.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value dropped by 10%, with an annualized decline of 3.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 896 M $ US, which experienced the largest increase of 32.1%. The largest decline of 23.1% was observed in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland, Germany, and Belgium consistently led as the top sources for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports in value terms, accounting for 31.3%, 24.4%, and 15.3% of import value, respectively. Combined, these three countries made up 71.0% of total import flows.

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

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