Concentrated not sweetened milk and cream market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for concentrated not sweetened milk and cream in Southern Europe shifted from stability to growth. In 2018 and 2019, the overall dairy market remained stable in volume, with a slight increase in value due to rising average prices, aligning with minimal fluctuations in the concentrated product's market size. However, in 2020, the market volume expanded by over 17% to 187.8 thousand tons.

Growth continued in the following years, accelerating by 2023. A key driver was changing consumer preferences and innovation from retail players. In 2022, the supermarket chain Mercadona entered the evaporated milk market with a product free from artificial additives and made from 100% natural cow's milk, creating a new category and intensifying competition. Simultaneously, the lactose-free product market, where concentrated milk holds a significant share, grew by 9.2%, reflecting demand for healthier options. These factors contributed to expanded consumption. In 2023, improved quality of whole milk in supermarkets, highlighted by consumer organization OCU, enhanced product appeal despite a 27% increase in retail prices. Consequently, the market volume reached 223.6 thousand tons, a 14% annual rise.

Production concentrated not sweetened milk and cream in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

In Southern Europe, production of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream reached 29,867 tonnes in 2020, showing a modest increase of 2.5% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 17.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 33,504 tonnes, which represented a significant increase of 31.8% from the prior year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with production falling by 13.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, production of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream in Southern Europe experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 61,100 thousand US dollars, reflecting a decrease of 1.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 28.4%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 8.7%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 62,312 thousand US dollars, while 2018 recorded the largest increase of 26.0%.

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

Exports concentrated not sweetened milk and cream from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe exported 9.7 thousand tonnes of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream, marking a substantial increase of 32.5% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 29.1%, with an average annual decline of 10.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 7.3 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 47.6%. In contrast, exports peaked in 2018 at 14.0 thousand tonnes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for concentrated not sweetened milk and cream in Southern Europe was relatively dispersed. France accounted for 23.8% of exports in kind, Hungary for 11.0%, and Cyprus for 5.4%, with these three countries together representing 40.3% of total flows. No single partner emerged as clearly dominant during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, the value of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream exports from Southern Europe rebounded. In 2020, exports amounted to 19.9 million US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 26.8% compared to the previous year. Despite this, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 22.5%, with an average annual decline of 8.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 37.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary buyers of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream from Southern Europe in value terms were France, accounting for 41.0% of exports, Cyprus with 11.1%, and Libya with 4.9%. Together, these three countries represented 57.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports concentrated not sweetened milk and cream to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe imported 167.7 thousand tonnes of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream, representing a significant increase of 20.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 18.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 138.6 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for imports of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream into Southern Europe in kind were Germany, with a 55.6% share, the Netherlands at 18.9%, and France at 8.7%. These three countries together accounted for 83.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream into Southern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 197.8 million US dollars, reflecting a strong rise of 24.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 30.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 147.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import structure in value terms was highly concentrated, with Germany and the Netherlands together accounting for 80.6% of total flows. Other partners contributed only a small residual share.

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

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