Concentrated not sweetened milk and cream market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for concentrated unsweetened milk and cream in Germany more than halved in physical terms, falling from 409 thousand tons to 186 thousand tons. The sharp drop in 2023 coincided with strong growth in plant‑based alternatives, as sales of plant‑based cream surged by 38% to €74 million, driven by competitive pricing and rising demand among younger adults and households with children.

A recovery followed in 2024, with market volume rising to 271 thousand tons. This turnaround was supported by a 14.8% increase in the production of concentrated milk products, which expanded supply. At the same time, the mandatory 'Deutschlandkennzeichnung' origin labeling for dairy products was introduced in mid‑2024, improving transparency for consumers. While plant‑based milk alternatives continued to gain market share, their price advantage over conventional cream may have partially offset the recovery.

Production concentrated not sweetened milk and cream in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Germany's production of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream rebounded in value terms. In 2020, output reached 603.9 million US dollars, marking a 14.8% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 526.0 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 10.4% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany maintained its position as the world's leading producer of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream by volume.

Top producers of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, Germany's production of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream saw an uptick in volume. In 2020, output totaled 549.6 thousand tonnes, representing a 3.8% increase compared to the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 18.4%, averaging an annual decrease of 6.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 529.4 thousand tonnes, with the steepest decline of 15.7% also occurring in that year.

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

Exports concentrated not sweetened milk and cream from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany exported 266.7 thousand tonnes of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream in 2020, down 1.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 9.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 3.1%. The largest drop was in 2018 at 8.2%, while the biggest increase was a modest 0.5% in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Greece, and Poland were the primary markets for Germany's exports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 24.9% of exports, Greece for 22.0%, and Poland for 11.2%, together making up 58.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's exports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream in value terms grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 310.8 million US dollars, a controlled rise of 3.3% year-over-year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 273.9 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 13.6% that same year. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, at 9.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia were the top markets for Germany's exports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream by value. Greece represented 19.6% of exports, the Netherlands 19.1%, and Saudi Arabia 13.4%, collectively accounting for 52.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports concentrated not sweetened milk and cream to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

The market for imports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream into Germany experienced notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import volume stood at 96.9 thousand tonnes, a slight decrease of 0.7% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 97.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 93.8% also occurring that year.

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

During 2017–2020, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium were the core sources for Germany's imports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream by volume. The Netherlands supplied 42.7% of imports, France 22.3%, and Belgium 12.7%, together representing 77.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream into Germany in value terms showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest value was in 2017, rising to a peak in 2019, with a 4.2-fold increase over this period. In 2020, imports totaled 99.8 million US dollars, down 3.2% from the prior year. The maximum value was in 2019 at 103.1 million US dollars, with the largest surge of 204.3% also recorded that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Germany's imports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream by value were the Netherlands, France, and Belgium. The Netherlands accounted for 61.6% of imports, France for 16.0%, and Belgium for 7.0%, jointly making up 84.6% of total import flows.

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

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