Lactose and lactose syrup market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market for lactose and lactose syrup in Lithuania declined sharply from 4 826 tonnes in 2018 to 450 tonnes in 2021 in volume terms. State-owned and dairy industry companies were actively involved in lactose production, but the market contraction coincided with the country's strengthened export orientation. Lithuania maintained its position as the second-largest lactose exporter in Eastern Europe with a 28% market share. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains, leading to raw material price fluctuations that affected production costs.

From 2022 onwards, the market volume showed partial recovery, reaching 1 044 tonnes in 2023 before dropping to 487 tonnes in 2024. Lithuanian lactose production remained heavily geared towards export, with stable growth in export volumes. Global factors such as raw material price volatility and supply chain challenges continued to influence the market in 2022, while Lithuanian producers maintained competitive low prices within the EU, contributing to lower market value.

Production lactose and lactose syrup in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Lithuania's lactose and lactose syrup production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 14 823 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 12.9% increase from 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 13.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 889 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Lithuania ranked as the world's 7th largest producer of lactose and lactose syrup.

Top producers of lactose and lactose syrup, 2018-2021

World map of production of lactose and lactose syrup, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, lactose and lactose syrup production in Lithuania has rebounded. In 2021, output stood at 11 805 tonnes, showing only minor changes compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 23.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 8.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 11 782 tonnes, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 22.5% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports lactose and lactose syrup from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Lithuania's exports of lactose and lactose syrup have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country shipped 11 825 tonnes, reflecting a steady 9.0% rise from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 7%, with an average annual increase of 2.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 9 850 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.9%. In contrast, the biggest increase was recorded in 2020 at 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the top destinations for Lithuania's lactose and lactose syrup exports by volume were Russia, accounting for 34.7% of shipments, the Philippines with 16.9%, and the Netherlands at 13.9%. Together, these three countries made up 65.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Lithuania's lactose and lactose syrup exports have grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, export value reached 14 684 thousand US dollars, representing a 20.9% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports surged by 57.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the leading destinations for Lithuania's lactose and lactose syrup exports by value were Russia, contributing 34.2% of export value, the Philippines with 15.4%, and the Netherlands at 12.5%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 62.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports lactose and lactose syrup to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

Lithuania's imports of lactose and lactose syrup have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 470 tonnes, up by 20.9% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 14.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 316 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 23.3%. The biggest increase occurred in 2020 with a 23.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark, Poland, and Germany remained the primary suppliers of lactose and lactose syrup to Lithuania by volume. Denmark accounted for 43.0% of imports, Poland for 12.6%, and Germany for 10.6%, together forming 66.1% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Lithuania's imports of lactose and lactose syrup have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, import value reached 756 thousand US dollars, up by 29.4% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports more than doubled, rising by 102.1%, which equates to an average annual increase of 26.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands were the main suppliers of lactose and lactose syrup to Lithuania by value. Sweden contributed 24.6% of import value, Denmark 17.5%, and the Netherlands 16.5%, jointly accounting for 58.5% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021