Concentrated milk and cream market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Swiss concentrated milk and cream market volume showed considerable volatility, peaking at 5 976 metric tons in 2020 before retracting to 4 340 metric tons by 2023. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, reaching 25.5 million USD in 2020 but ending the period at 18.9 million USD. The sharp increase in 2020 represented a 50% rise from the previous year, while subsequent years saw alternating declines and recoveries.

The market structure has been shaped by domestic production capabilities, where approximately 10% of Swiss milk is allocated to dried and condensed milk products. Import patterns also played a role, with Switzerland sourcing unsweetened concentrated milk and cream primarily from Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. More recently, consumer demand for clean-label and additive-free dairy products has gained momentum, leading to innovations such as Nestlé's launch of a precision fermentation dairy protein in 2024. This trend towards alternative and specialty dairy items may influence future product development within the concentrated milk segment.

Production volumes fluctuated in tandem with market size, dropping to 3 424 metric tons in 2019 before surging to 4 669 metric tons in 2020. Imports, a key component of market supply, fell notably in 2019 and 2022, contributing to overall market contractions in those years. The market's dynamics reflect a combination of domestic production adjustments and external trade flows.

Production concentrated milk and cream in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of concentrated milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated milk and cream, 2017-2020

Switzerland's production of concentrated milk and cream rebounded in 2020 after two years of decline. Output reached 4 669 tonnes, marking a significant 36.4% increase from the 2019 level of 3 424 tonnes, which was the lowest point in recent years. The most substantial drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 20.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Switzerland's production value of concentrated milk and cream grew for the second consecutive year in 2020. The output was valued at 20 256 thousand US dollars, representing a 24.4% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 22.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 16 075 thousand US dollars, when production declined by 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Switzerland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports concentrated milk and cream from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

Switzerland's exports of concentrated milk and cream declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. Shipments totaled 223 tonnes, down 36.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 75.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 37.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland's exports of concentrated milk and cream in volume terms were heavily concentrated on Belgium, which accounted for 87.4% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

Switzerland's export value of concentrated milk and cream fell for the third year in a row in 2020. Exports amounted to 966 thousand US dollars, a 42.2% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value dropped by 69.6%, averaging an annual decline of 32.8%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, Belgium remained the primary destination for Switzerland's concentrated milk and cream exports in value terms, capturing 80.9% of total flows. The rest was spread across various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports concentrated milk and cream to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland's imports of concentrated milk and cream surged in 2020, reaching 1 530 tonnes. This represented a 68.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 18.2%, with an average annual rate of 5.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 910 tonnes, following a 33.1% decline that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands—collectively accounted for 77.6% of Switzerland's total imports of concentrated milk and cream in volume terms.

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

Switzerland's import value of concentrated milk and cream jumped in 2020, totaling 6 240 thousand US dollars. This was a 66.2% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 20.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 3 754 thousand US dollars, after a 35.0% drop that year.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Belgium, Italy, and France formed the core of Switzerland's imports of concentrated milk and cream in value terms. Belgium accounted for 60.4% of imports, Italy for 18.1%, and France for 7.5%, together making up 86.0% of total flows.

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

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