Lactose and lactose syrup market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for lactose and lactose syrup in Germany experienced consistent growth from 2018 to 2022, with its value rising from $109.5 million to $163.9 million. During this period, increasing health consciousness among consumers supported broader dairy sector activity.

By 2024, the market value surged to $235.5 million. This acceleration was primarily driven by robust demand from pharmaceutical and food applications, particularly for powdered lactose, which holds over 63% market share. Technological advances in milk processing and lactose production enhanced efficiency and output, while strategic moves like DFE Pharma's acquisition of Meggle's pharmaceutical lactose division consolidated market strength.

Production lactose and lactose syrup in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Lactose and lactose syrup production in Germany has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 411.1 million US dollars, marking a 6.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 17.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 318.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.3%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 20.9% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany ranked second worldwide in terms of lactose and lactose syrup production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of lactose and lactose syrup, 2017-2020

World map of production of lactose and lactose syrup, 2017-2020

Lactose and lactose syrup production in Germany has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 298.4 thousand tonnes were produced, up by 3.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 9.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.2%.

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

Exports lactose and lactose syrup from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's volume of lactose and lactose syrup exports has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 236.2 thousand tonnes, which is 0.6% more than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 2.8%, with an annualized rate of 0.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 21.3% of exports in kind, New Zealand for 12.1%, and Japan for 6.7%, together representing 40.1% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 59.9%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's lactose and lactose syrup exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 346.1 million US dollars, up by 4.3% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 275.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 20.5% rise.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that exports in value terms of lactose and lactose syrup from Germany were not concentrated on a few key destinations. The Netherlands accounted for 20.9% of exports in value terms, New Zealand for 9.8%, and Denmark for 7.0%, together representing only 37.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports lactose and lactose syrup to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's lactose and lactose syrup imports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany imported 49.9 thousand tonnes, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 51.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 3.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 3.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Denmark, and France were the main suppliers of lactose and lactose syrup to Germany in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 60.8% of imports in kind, Denmark for 16.5%, and France for 10.1%, together comprising 87.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign lactose and lactose syrup supplies to Germany have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 77.5 million US dollars, corresponding to an 8.5% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 14.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 66.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.6%.

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

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

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