Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream remained stable at around 2.2 million tons. This period was characterized by sustained growth in dry whey and cream production, which supported exports, alongside increasing consumer preference for processed milk due to its convenience and extended shelf life. In 2020, a shortage of raw milk elevated prices for dairy ingredients, further driving demand for concentrated forms, while rising interest in lactose-free and functional dairy products spurred the introduction of new concentrated and sweetened lines.

The market contracted sharply in 2021, falling to 1.6 million tons, and then stabilized at a similar level in 2022. During 2022, embargo-like sanctions increased domestic demand for locally produced concentrated dairy items and restricted imports of ready-made cream. Concurrently, tighter requirements for unsweetened cream imports provided additional impetus for local manufacturing of concentrated and sweetened alternatives, reshaping the supply structure.

A strong recovery followed in 2023, with market volume jumping to 2.2 million tons. This rebound was primarily driven by a significant increase in cream output, which created a raw material surplus and encouraged manufacturers to expand dry and sweetened cream production. Additionally, impending organic labeling rules set for 2025 prompted producers to concentrate products for simpler quality control, and a roughly 30% rise in raw milk costs made longer-lasting concentrates more economical by reducing logistics expenses.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

In Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream reached 2 400 thousand metric tons in 2020, showing a moderate increase of 5.1% compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 25.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 413 thousand metric tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.4%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, when production surged by 26.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream production in Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 669 million US dollars, marking a modest increase of 9.0% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 32.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume totaled 429.8 thousand metric tons, reflecting a decrease of 2.0% compared to the previous year. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 446.2 thousand metric tons, which also saw the largest increase of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, were widely distributed across various partner countries. Kazakhstan accounted for 10.1% of exports in kind, Algeria for 8.3%, and China for 4.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 23.0% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 1 015 million US dollars, showing a slight gain of 1.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 4.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 913 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.7%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 highlights a diversified set of trading partners. Kazakhstan contributed 8.6% of exports in value terms, Algeria 8.6%, and China 4.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for just 22.1% of total export flows, while the remaining 77.9% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, totaled 276.5 thousand metric tons, reflecting a significant reduction of 21.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 28.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 10.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a drop of 27.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 25.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 20.3% of imports in kind, the Netherlands for 3.9%, and France for 3.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 27.2% of total import flows, indicating a broad sourcing base.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, were valued at 760 million US dollars, indicating a fall of 9.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.4%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 633 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 27.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 32.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Europe, including Northern Asia, relied on a diverse set of partner countries. Germany accounted for 15.7% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 4.8%, and Uruguay for 3.7%. Together, these three countries took just 24.3% of total import flows, underscoring the region's reliance on a wide range of suppliers.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020