Concentrated sweetened milk and cream market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market for concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Northern Europe showed considerable volatility in both volume and value. Starting at 283.3 thousand tons in 2018, the market volume fell sharply to 180 thousand tons the following year. This was mirrored in value terms, where the market shrank from 1.35 billion US dollars to 765 million US dollars. The subsequent year, 2020, saw a partial recovery to 270.4 thousand tons, though the market value did not fully rebound, reaching 988 million US dollars.

The period from 2021 onward was marked by a lower and more stable market volume. After dropping to 192.3 thousand tons in 2021, the volume remained unchanged in 2022 before a slight decrease to 184.4 thousand tons in 2023. In monetary terms, the market value followed a similar but more pronounced trajectory, falling to 570 million US dollars in 2021 and then gradually recovering to 676 million US dollars by 2023.

This stabilization in the later years suggests the market settled at a new equilibrium level after the earlier fluctuations. The overall trend indicates a significant contraction from the 2018 peak, with the market operating at a reduced scale in both physical volume and financial value by the end of the observed period.

Production concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Northern Europe

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

In Northern Europe, production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream reached 242.6 K t in 2020, marking a sharp 69.1% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 143.5 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 248.4 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 42.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Northern Europe rebounded in 2020. The output was valued at 929 M $ US, representing a 30.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 35.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 714 M $ US, and the largest decline of 44.2% also occurred that year.

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

Exports concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Northern Europe grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 13 697 t. This represents a notable 13.2% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export volumes surged by 92.9%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 24.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Northern Europe were distributed across numerous markets. The top three destinations—Portugal (7.2% of exports), the Netherlands (7.1%), and China (7.0%)—collectively accounted for just 21.3% of total export volumes.

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

Export values for concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Northern Europe showed significant volatility during this period. The market peaked in 2019 and hit its lowest point in 2018, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports stood at 36.1 M $ US, down 27.6% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 27.8 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 49.8 M $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 79.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated the export value of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Northern Europe. The top three markets—China (27.3% of export value), the Netherlands (7.3%), and Hong Kong (6.0%)—together accounted for only 40.6% of total export value, with many smaller partners holding modest individual shares.

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 sweetened milk and cream to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Northern Europe imported 41 502 t of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, a robust 14.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes declined by 9.2%, with a CAGR of -3.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 48 652 t, and the largest increase of 12.2% also occurred that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium (30.8% of import volume), Germany (21.9%), and the Netherlands (13.4%) were the largest contributors to imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Northern Europe, jointly accounting for 66.1% of total import 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

Imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 95.0 M $ US. This represents a moderate 6.0% reduction from 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 101.8 M $ US, and the largest increase of 8.2% also occurred that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (36.4% of import value), Germany (20.0%), and the Netherlands (13.7%) remained the leading sources for imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Northern Europe in value terms, with a combined share of 70.1% of total import 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