Concentrated sweetened milk and cream market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Southern Europe started at 75 767 tons in 2018, the year Spain mandated origin labeling for milk ingredients to boost consumer transparency. New dairy sector contracting rules in 2019 established frameworks for producer organizations, yet market volume fell to 71 254 tons that year and dropped further to 62 538 tons in 2020.

After a modest recovery to 65 180 tons in 2021, the market surged by 44% to 93 679 tons in 2022. This expansion aligned with Spain's introduction of stricter traceability and control rules for the dairy supply chain through Royal Decree 989/2022, which improved safety standards and likely supported production and consumption.

Market volume then contracted sharply to 63 157 tons in 2023. By 2024, the sector was adapting to evolving EU regulations for preserved dairy products, while consumer preferences increasingly favored sweetened condensed milk for desserts and beverages, spurred by innovations in production and sustainable packaging.

Production concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

In Southern Europe, production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream reached 76,953 tonnes in 2020, marking a 5.4% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 24.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 22.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Europe's production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, measured in value terms, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 146.5 million US dollars, reflecting a gradual decrease of 9.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 175.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.8%.

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

Exports concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Southern Europe continued to rise for the third consecutive year. In 2020, shipments totaled 42,513 tonnes, representing a 28.5% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 87.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 23.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Southern Europe were distributed across a wide range of markets. The top three destinations—Saudi Arabia (19.5% of exports in volume), France (13.6%), and the United Kingdom (12.8%)—collectively accounted for 45.9% of total flows, indicating a diverse export landscape.

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, K $ US

In 2020, the value of concentrated sweetened milk and cream exports from Southern Europe amounted to 80,948 thousand US dollars, up by 10.6% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 44.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.0%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 1.9%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, at 33.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia (17.2% of export value), France (13.8%), and the United Kingdom (13.1%) were notable buyers of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Southern Europe. However, their combined share of total export value was 44.1%, showing that they did not dominate the market.

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 sweetened milk and cream to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Southern Europe fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 28,098 tonnes, a decrease of 10.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 13.8%, with an average annual decrease of 4.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany (34.4% of import volume), the Netherlands (14.7%), and Belgium (10.1%) were the largest contributors to imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Southern Europe. Together, they accounted for 59.3% of total flows.

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, K $ US

Imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Southern Europe, in value terms, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 58,727 thousand US dollars, down by 8.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 1.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 69,278 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.8%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany (29.7% of import value), Belgium (16.9%), and the Netherlands (13.7%) stood out as the primary sources for imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Southern Europe. Collectively, they represented 60.2% of total flows.

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

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