Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Southern Europe grew from 1 003 thousand tons to 1 064 thousand tons, with a peak of 1 065 thousand tons in 2020. Regulatory measures, including the experimental origin labeling for milk ingredients introduced in 2018, the contracting rules to concentrate supply established in 2019, and the flexibility in hygiene conditions for food production implemented in 2020, enhanced transparency and strengthened producer bargaining power. This supported a steady rise in market value from 2 526 million USD to 3 089 million USD.

In 2022, the market surged sharply, with volume jumping 35% to 1 437 thousand tons and value rising 52% to 4 684 million USD. This growth was primarily driven by increased production costs due to the Russia-Ukraine war, which pushed up prices, alongside further regulatory changes that reinforced production concentration and extended traceability requirements to all dairy species. High market concentration, with the top four companies holding a 57.6% value share, contributed to an efficient market response.

Growth continued in 2023, with volume reaching 1 483 thousand tons and value climbing to 4 968 million USD. Imports remained robust, reaching 502 thousand tons in 2024, indicating sustained demand. The market stabilized at a higher level following the 2022 shock, with no major new regulatory shifts observed in the later period.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Southern 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

Southern Europe's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream saw a decline in 2020, following two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 764 thousand tonnes, but then fell by 1.4% to 753 thousand tonnes in 2020. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 19.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 11.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream production in Southern Europe rose for the third year in a row in 2020. Output was valued at 2 406 million US dollars, marking a 1.4% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value expanded by 44.5%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 13.1%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe exported 101.3 thousand tonnes of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, representing a moderate decrease of 5.9% from 2019. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 90.5 thousand tonnes, then surged by 18.9% to a peak of 107.6 thousand tonnes in 2019, before declining in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 3.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The sharpest drop was recorded in 2018, when exports decreased by 13.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Southern Europe were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The top three destinations—France (13.2% of exports), Mexico (9.9%), and the Netherlands (9.0%)—collectively accounted for just 32.1% of total export volumes, indicating a highly diversified market.

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

The value of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream exports from Southern Europe stood at 323.6 million US dollars in 2020, showing a modest decline of 3.2% from 2019. Export value hit its lowest level in 2018 at 267.4 million US dollars, then jumped by 25.1% to a high of 334.4 million US dollars in 2019, before easing in 2020. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 16.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, when export value fell by 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (12.7% of export value), China (9.4%), and Mexico (8.9%) were key buyers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Southern Europe. However, their combined share made up only 30.9% of total export value, with the remaining 69.1% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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 or sweetened milk and cream to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Southern Europe grew for the third consecutive year in 2020. Volume reached 413.4 thousand tonnes, up by 1.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 7.6%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Germany (37.0% of import volume), France (16.6%), and the Netherlands (15.4%) were the primary suppliers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Southern Europe. Together, these three countries accounted for 69.0% of total import volumes.

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

The value of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream imports into Southern Europe rose for the third year in a row in 2020. Imports were valued at 1 247 million US dollars, reflecting a 7.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 16.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (34.7% of import value), France (16.5%), and the Netherlands (16.0%) were the leading sources for imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Southern Europe in value terms. These three countries jointly represented 67.2% of total import value.

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

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