Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Western Europe fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 4 164 thousand tons in 2018 and reaching 4 241 thousand tons in 2023. A peak of 4 859 thousand tons occurred in 2020, followed by a decline in 2021. In value terms, the market expanded more significantly from 10 719 million USD in 2018 to 15 674 million USD in 2023, with notable surges in 2020 and 2022. Early in the period, milk and feed price volatility affected dairy producer profitability in France, influencing production costs and market conditions.

By the end of the period, several structural shifts were evident. Consumer purchasing behavior moved towards private label and first-price dairy products, while national brands faced volume declines in segments like packaged milk and cream. Product innovation responded to trends, with Brancourts Dairy introducing sweetened condensed milk in innovative transparent packaging. Simultaneously, a clean-label reformulation trend led to the removal of artificial additives in dairy desserts, and sustainable packaging adoption reduced virgin plastic use by 18-25% in some lines, aligning with health and environmental preferences.

Global factors also played a role, with reduced European exports of dairy powders and butters to third countries impacting the supply chain. The increased use of fat-filled milk powders in recombined sweetened condensed milk production offered a cost-effective alternative for manufacturers, influencing production methods and market dynamics over the period.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Western 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

Western Europe's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 6 044 K t, marking a moderate 5.6% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 5 538 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 4.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream production in Western Europe has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 18 454 M $ US, up by 30.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 454 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.7%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream amounted to 1 741 K t, representing a significant reduction of 11.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 972 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 8.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Western Europe were not concentrated on a few key markets. Italy and Greece each accounted for 4.9% of exports in kind, while Algeria represented 4.2%. Together, these three countries made up only 14.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 5 316 M $ US, up by 8.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 9.7%, with an annualized rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 416 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 8.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 10.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for Western Europe's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms. China accounted for 5.7% of export value, Italy for 5.1%, and Algeria for 4.8%. Combined, these three markets represented only 15.7% of total export value, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Western Europe's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in volume terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 556 K t, which is 9.9% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume grew by 24.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 444 K t, which saw the largest decline of 0.4%. In 2019, imports experienced the largest increase of 13.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Poland were important suppliers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Western Europe in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 6.3% of imports in kind, Ireland for 5.9%, and Poland for 2.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 15.0% of total import volume, with the remaining 85.0% distributed among many other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 899 M $ US, reflecting a controlled rise of 5.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 18.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.8%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the geographical structure of Western Europe's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms was highly diversified. Ireland accounted for 7.7% of import value, the United Kingdom for 6.6%, and Poland for 3.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 17.6% of total import flows, while the remaining 82.4% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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