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

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Eastern Europe began at 48.3 thousand tons in 2018, with growth supported by the entry of new players and increased milk and cream production, which expanded the processed dairy segment. By 2019, market volume surged to 78.5 thousand tons, as rising consumer preference for functional and lactose-free products stimulated demand.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and altered consumption patterns, causing a temporary contraction to 39.1 thousand tons. However, the market rebounded quickly, reaching 49.5 thousand tons in 2021, propelled by a sharp increase in cream output—a key input for concentrated products. Production growth continued, with market volume climbing to 73.4 thousand tons in 2022 and 96.1 thousand tons in 2023, fueled by sustained demand for value-added dairy items and the expansion of cream, cheese, and ice cream production.

In 2024, government measures such as full transport cost compensation for dairy exports aimed to bolster trade, while rising costs for feed, energy, and packaging pressured producer margins. The trend toward lactose-free and functional products, particularly among younger consumers, alongside growing online sales, continued to shape market dynamics.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has seen its production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 95.9 thousand tons, marking a 6.9% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 3.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 87.3 thousand tons, with that year also experiencing the largest drop of 11.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has experienced a second consecutive year of growth in the value of its concentrated sweetened milk and cream production. In 2020, the output was valued at 169.6 million US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 7.2% over the previous year. However, over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 9.6%, averaging an annual decline of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 152.6 million US dollars, which also saw the steepest drop of 18.7%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

Exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume reached 74 710 tons, representing an 8.9% year-on-year increase. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 61 759 tons, which also recorded the largest decline of 15.9%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase at 11.1%.

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

The export structure in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diverse range of trading partners. Kazakhstan accounted for 12.3% of exports, Turkmenistan for 3.9%, and Georgia for 2.6%, together making up just 18.9% of total flows. The remaining 81.1% was spread across numerous smaller markets, highlighting the region's broad diversification.

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

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has posted a second consecutive year of growth in the value of its concentrated sweetened milk and cream exports. In 2020, exports amounted to 132.1 million US dollars, up 9.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, however, export value decreased by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 108.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 22.4%. On the upside, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan was the largest buyer with 10.1% of export value, followed by the Netherlands at 5.4% and the United Kingdom at 2.5%. Together, these three countries represented just 18.1% of total export value, indicating that Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) maintains a highly diversified partner base for its concentrated sweetened milk and cream exports.

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

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have shown irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. From a peak in 2017 to a trough in 2020, imports fluctuated by 3.3 times. In 2020, imports totaled 17 854 tons, a sharp decline of 68.9% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 152.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland was the largest supplier with 8.6% of import volume, followed by the Netherlands at 8.0% and Germany at 5.3%. Even combined, these three countries accounted for only 22.0% of total import volume, demonstrating that Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) sources concentrated sweetened milk and cream from a wide array of partners.

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 sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were valued at 128.1 million US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 2.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 2.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 112.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.3%. The highest value was in 2019 at 131.6 million US dollars, with that year posting the biggest increase of 17.3%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the top supplier with 12.8% of import value, followed by Ireland at 12.3% and Germany at 5.5%. Together, these three countries made up only 30.6% of total import value, with the remaining 69.4% distributed among many other partners, underscoring the diversified nature of the import market.

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