Lactose and lactose syrup market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for lactose and lactose syrup in Northern Europe showed significant movement between 2018 and 2023. It grew sharply to 74 thousand tonnes in 2019, then fell to 60 thousand tonnes in 2020 before recovering to 66 thousand tonnes by 2022.

In 2023, the market volume declined to 58 thousand tonnes. This decrease was largely a result of drought and flooding in Norway, which worsened fodder quality and reduced milk production, limiting the raw material available for lactose processing.

During 2024, the market environment was influenced by high food price inflation and growing consumer interest in lactose-free products across the region. Regulatory changes, including new labelling requirements for lactose-free foods in Denmark, also began to affect market dynamics.

Production lactose and lactose syrup in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lactose and lactose syrup, 2017-2020

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

In Northern Europe, lactose and lactose syrup production reached 19 185 tonnes in 2020, marking a modest 1.0% increase from the previous year. Production had previously peaked in 2018 at 26 115 tonnes, followed by a significant 27.3% decline to 18 988 tonnes in 2019, which was the lowest level recorded during this period. The year 2018 also saw the largest increase, with production surging by 36.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of lactose and lactose syrup production in Northern Europe stood at 20 002 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a substantial 21.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 434 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 21 657 thousand US dollars. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, when production value dropped by 24.1%.

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

Exports lactose and lactose syrup from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Northern Europe's exports of lactose and lactose syrup rebounded in 2020, reaching 37 516 tonnes—a 22.7% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 8.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 30 587 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 10.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of Northern Europe's lactose and lactose syrup exports was highly diversified. The top three destinations—the Netherlands (31.3% of exports in volume), Russia (10.2%), and the Philippines (5.4%)—collectively accounted for just 46.9% of total flows. The remaining 53.1% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

After a two-year decrease, the value of lactose and lactose syrup exports from Northern Europe rose in 2020, totaling 39.1 million US dollars—a sharp 47.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 10.7%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 26.5 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (28.5% of exports by value), Russia (11.5%), and the Philippines (6.3%) were among the largest buyers of lactose and lactose syrup from Northern Europe. However, even combined, these three countries represented only 46.2% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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 lactose and lactose syrup to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Northern Europe imported 78 017 tonnes of lactose and lactose syrup in 2020, reflecting a measured 8.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 10.4%, with a compound annual decrease of 3.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 62 781 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 27.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase, with imports rising by 36.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands (35.5% of imports in volume), Germany (24.0%), and France (6.7%) emerged as the primary sources for lactose and lactose syrup imports into Northern Europe. Together, these three countries accounted for 66.2% 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

In 2020, the value of lactose and lactose syrup imports into Northern Europe amounted to 185.4 million US dollars, showing a slight 2.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 11.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 150.3 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 190.9 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 9.8% drop, whereas 2019 saw the largest increase of 27.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (41.4% of imports by value), Germany (25.8%), and Austria (7.2%) were the main suppliers of lactose and lactose syrup to Northern Europe. Collectively, these three countries comprised 74.4% of total import value.

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

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