Concentrated milk and cream market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The Dutch concentrated milk and cream market volume grew from 544.6 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 635.6 thousand tonnes in 2020, supported by rising domestic production and increasing imports. Output expanded from 686.6 to 762.1 thousand tonnes over these two years, while import volumes climbed from 130.8 to 177.7 thousand tonnes.

After 2020, the market entered a downward trend, contracting to 583.5 thousand tonnes by 2023. Production eased to 734.2 thousand tonnes, and imports retreated from their 2021 high of 197.2 thousand tonnes. Throughout this period, export volumes consistently grew, reaching 330.0 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Production concentrated milk and cream in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands held the third position globally in the production of concentrated milk and cream.

Top producers of concentrated milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

The Netherlands saw its production of concentrated milk and cream rise for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 762 thousand tonnes, a slight increase of 1.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 687 thousand tonnes, marking the largest decline of 6.5% that year. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 9.8%.

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

Exports concentrated milk and cream from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of concentrated milk and cream from the Netherlands increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 304.2 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate year-on-year rise of 4.6%. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall decreased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 272.8 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 13.5%. The biggest increase happened in 2019, with a growth of 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical distribution of exports in kind was highly diverse. The top three destinations—the United Arab Emirates (15.7% of exports in kind), Germany (10.6%), and Greece (8.4%)—collectively accounted for only 34.7% of total flows. The remaining 65.3% was spread across numerous smaller partner countries.

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

In 2020, the value of concentrated milk and cream exports from the Netherlands was 494.7 million US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports in value terms decreased by 7.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 466.4 million US dollars, which experienced the largest drop of 12.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 6.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of concentrated milk and cream exports from the Netherlands was widely dispersed among partner countries. The top three—the United Arab Emirates (12.2% of exports in value terms), Germany (10.6%), and Hong Kong (9.9%)—together represented only 32.6% of total 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 concentrated milk and cream to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of concentrated milk and cream into the Netherlands increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 177.7 thousand tonnes, up by 12.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 44.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (48.8% of imports in kind), Belgium (26.8%), and the United Kingdom (10.1%) consistently led the country structure of imports in kind. Together, they accounted for 85.7% of total 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 concentrated milk and cream imports into the Netherlands rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 178.1 million US dollars, reflecting a significant increase of 12.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 25.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 141.0 million US dollars, which saw a slight decline of 0.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany and Belgium were the dominant suppliers of concentrated milk and cream to the Netherlands in value terms, together accounting for 80.3% of total imports. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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

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