Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Northern Europe showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. After a decline from 970 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a low of 733 thousand tonnes in 2020, consumption rebounded strongly to 999 thousand tonnes in 2022 before moderating to 930 thousand tonnes in 2023. In value terms, the market peaked at 3.9 billion USD in 2022, reflecting both volume growth and substantial price movements.

The market expansion in 2022 occurred alongside heightened competition in the food retail sector, dominated by four major chains, and new rules allowing primary milk producers to sell raw material to processors outside their traditional cooperatives. These changes lowered market entry barriers, potentially stimulating supply. Concurrent shifts in dairy industry output, with increased production of drinking milk and butter but decreases in fermented products, cream, and cheese, indicated broader capacity reallocations that supported the concentrated milk segment.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Northern 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

Northern Europe's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 1 210 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate decrease of 9.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 369 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream production in Northern Europe stood at 3 269 million US dollars, showing a modest decline of 4.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 7.4%, with an average annual drop of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 213 million US dollars, which experienced the largest annual decline of 9.0%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest annual increase of 6.2%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Northern Europe's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream declined. In 2020, export volume amounted to 631.4 thousand tonnes, down 1.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 29.1%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 639.9 thousand tonnes, while 2018 saw the largest annual increase of 17.4%.

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

The export structure in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified partner base. The Netherlands (19.2% of exports), China (8.7%), and Germany (6.6%) together accounted for just 34.5% of total flows, with the remaining 65.5% distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 706 million US dollars, up 4.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 27%, representing an average annual increase of 8.3%.

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

The export structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be characterized as diversified. The Netherlands (15.8% of exports), China (12.5%), and Oman (7.5%) together accounted for only 35.8% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Northern Europe's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in volume terms declined. In 2020, import volume stood at 154.3 thousand tonnes, reflecting a solid decrease of 12.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 2.6%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 176.7 thousand tonnes, while 2018 saw the largest annual increase of 10.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in volume terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Germany (21.7% of imports), the Netherlands (14.3%), and Belgium (10.1%) together accounted for just 46.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Northern Europe's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 465 million US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 1.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 9.5%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 472 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Northern Europe were spread across many countries. Germany (20.2% of imports), the Netherlands (15.5%), and Belgium (12.8%) together accounted for only 48.5% of total flows.

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

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