Concentrated milk and cream market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The Estonian concentrated milk and cream market experienced moderate growth from 2 192 tons in 2018 to 2 223 tons in 2019. This period was characterized by regulatory clarity, as strict naming rules for dairy products, including cream-based items like ice cream, mandated the use of milk fat and prohibited vegetable fats. These standards helped define product categories and likely reinforced consumer expectations. Simultaneously, state controls requiring ministry approval for new cream stations maintained a stable production environment, preventing unregulated expansion and supporting consistent market supply.

Market volume expanded significantly to 2 428 tons in 2020 and reached 2 481 tons in 2021. A primary driver was the focus on milk quality linked to animal health; in 2020, attention to somatic cell counts in milk ensured high-quality raw material for concentration. However, by 2021, challenges such as udder diseases and reproductive issues led to increased cow culling, constraining milk supply growth. Despite these production-side pressures, the market continued to grow, reflecting sustained demand for concentrated dairy products.

From 2022 onward, the market contracted, falling to 2 197 tons in 2022 and 2 024 tons in 2023 before stabilizing at 2 029 tons in 2024. While milk quality improved in 2022 with lower somatic cell counts, this did not reverse the broader decline, which may be attributed to external economic conditions. Regulatory frameworks, including ongoing rules on product names and composition, continued to influence the industry's product offerings throughout this period.

Production concentrated milk and cream in Estonia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Estonia's concentrated milk and cream production value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 3 887 K $ US, marking a 9.0% rise compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 210 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 1.9%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 11.1%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of concentrated milk and cream, 2018-2021

World map of production of concentrated milk and cream, 2018-2021

After two years of growth, concentrated milk and cream production in Estonia declined in 2021. Output reached 1 772 t, reflecting a moderate decrease of 3.8% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The peak was in 2020 at 1 842 t, which also saw the largest increase of 11.1%.

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

Exports concentrated milk and cream from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

Estonia's exports of concentrated milk and cream have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 88.6 t, showing a gradual gain of 5.5% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports surged by 94%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 24.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for Estonia's exports in kind were Latvia (43.4% of exports), Lithuania (26.1% of exports), and Ireland (15.0% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 84.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Estonia's export value of concentrated milk and cream has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 216 K $ US, indicating a solid gain of 12.8% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 77.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 119 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 2.4%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 60.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for Estonia's exports in value terms were Latvia (40.9% of exports), Lithuania (24.7% of exports), and Finland (14.3% of exports). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 79.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports concentrated milk and cream to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

Estonia's imports of concentrated milk and cream have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports came to 797.4 t, indicating a strong uptick of 19.0% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 25.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 614.7 t, which saw the largest decline of 3.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (36.9% of imports), Latvia (27.8% of imports), and Lithuania (24.2% of imports) were the top suppliers of concentrated milk and cream to Estonia. Together, they accounted for 89.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Estonia's import value of concentrated milk and cream has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 638 K $ US, representing a substantial gain of 11.5% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports rose by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 387 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 3.8%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (34.0% of imports), Latvia (31.7% of imports), and Lithuania (22.5% of imports) remained the key partners for Estonia's imports in value terms. Together, they accounted for 88.3% of total import flows.

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

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