Casein market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the casein market volume expanded sharply by 57% to reach 54 647 t. This surge was fueled by a simultaneous increase in domestic production and import volumes, supported by the entry of new players and active government procurement under regulations 44-FZ and 223-FZ.

The market then entered a period of volatility. In 2020, import restrictions began to affect supply, contributing to a contraction. By 2022, sanctions and geopolitical events led to a steep drop in imports, causing the market volume to fall to 36 702 t. During this time, the industry faced raw material shortages and increased competition among new entrants, who often had to resort to price dumping to secure contracts.

From 2021 through 2023, the market demonstrated resilience. Domestic production grew steadily, partly offsetting the reduced imports. This was driven by rising demand for protein-enriched foods and beverages, which opened new product segments like sports nutrition. By 2023, the market volume had recovered to 40 064 t, reflecting an adaptation to the new supply conditions.

Production casein in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of casein, 2017-2020

World map of production of casein, 2017-2020

In Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, casein production reached 32 580 tonnes in 2020, marking a sharp 29.5% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 3.6%, with an average annual decrease of 1.2%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 31 448 tonnes, while production peaked in 2019 at 46 187 tonnes, representing a significant 46.9% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of casein production in Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, stood at 235.2 million US dollars in 2020, reflecting a substantial 17.9% drop compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, however, production value increased by 11.7%, averaging 3.8% growth per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 181.8 million US dollars, while 2019 saw the highest at 286.5 million US dollars, with a notable 57.6% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports casein from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

Casein export volumes from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 9 086 tonnes, a gradual 3.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 27.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States were among the largest buyers of casein from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, accounting for 15.0%, 9.1%, and 7.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented just 31.4% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of contraction, the value of casein exports from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, increased in 2020, reaching 65.6 million US dollars, a strong 12.3% gain from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 16.5%, averaging a 5.8% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 58.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 16.3% occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, casein exports in value terms from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States accounted for 14.8%, 9.2%, and 7.5% of exports in value terms, respectively, jointly representing only 31.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports casein to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, casein import volumes into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, declined in 2020, reaching 14 166 tonnes, a drop of 20.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 2.8%, averaging 0.9% growth per year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 17 872 tonnes, with the largest increase of 15.5% occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France, Ireland, and New Zealand consistently led the import structure in kind for Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, accounting for 30.4%, 12.6%, and 11.2% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 54.2% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign casein supplies to Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 124.8 million US dollars, a rise of 16.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 37.7%, averaging 11.3% per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 87.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 3.5% that year, while the largest increase of 22.8% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France, Ireland, and New Zealand led the import structure in value terms for Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, accounting for 31.4%, 13.0%, and 11.5% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 55.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020