Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream experienced modest growth from 2018 to 2020, with volume rising from 8 580 thousand tons to 8 754 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by increasing demand from the bakery and confectionery sectors, where sweetened condensed milk holds a dominant share, and by the growing coffee culture trend which boosted usage in ready-to-drink beverages. However, in 2021, the market volume dropped sharply by 12.7% to 7 640 thousand tons, primarily due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including driver shortages for milk transport that hampered processing and distribution.

The market rebounded strongly in 2022, reaching 9 014 thousand tons, as investments in modern production capacity helped restore output to meet recovering demand. Throughout the period, consumer preferences shifted towards sustainable and quality-certified products, while health awareness fueled interest in items with probiotic properties. The growing trend for plant-based alternatives also influenced the market landscape, and economic pressures led to increased prominence of private-label products as consumers became more price-conscious.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Europe

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

Europe's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 10 407 thousand tonnes, marking a modest 3.0% increase from the previous year. Looking back from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Europe's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of this output stood at 34 299 million US dollars, up 10.7% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 26.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 26 717 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 1.3%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 16.0%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Europe have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, shipments abroad totaled 2 537 thousand tonnes, down 0.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 1.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream remained highly fragmented. China accounted for 4.9% of exports, Algeria for 4.5%, and Saudi Arabia for 2.6%, together making up just 11.9% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Europe have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the value reached 8 361 million US dollars, showing a steady 6.5% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12.4%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 6 944 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.6%. Meanwhile, 2019 saw the biggest increase at 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country composition of exports in value terms was widely dispersed. China represented 7.1% of exports, Algeria 4.8%, and Saudi Arabia 2.6%, together accounting for only 14.5% of total flows. The remaining 85.5% was distributed across a broad range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Europe have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 884 thousand tonnes, a sharp 24.1% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 20.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 7.5%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 1 174 thousand tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 5.1%.

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

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Europe have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, Europe imported about 3 989 million US dollars' worth, up 2.1% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 9.5%, equating to an average annual rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 3 507 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 3.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay and New Zealand were the primary sources for imports in value terms, together accounting for 1.4% of total flows.

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

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