Lactose and lactose syrup market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The lactose and lactose syrup market in Southern Europe expanded significantly from 33 897 t in 2018 to 53 781 t in 2020. This growth was primarily driven by increased global demand for lactose in infant nutrition and pharmaceutical formulations. The period also saw a rising consumer shift towards lactose-free dairy products in Italy, which stimulated dairy processing and supported lactose production.

After a temporary contraction to 50 496 t in 2021, market volume rebounded to 56 234 t in 2022 and surged to 68 241 t in 2023. The recovery was fueled by heightened demand for lactose-based ingredients in the food industry and the expansion of lactose-free product lines by major dairy companies, which enhanced lactose utilization across applications.

Production lactose and lactose syrup in Southern 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

Lactose and lactose syrup production in Southern Europe has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Southern Europe produced 42 466 tonnes of lactose and lactose syrup, representing a 17.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 40.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 25 760 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 14.7%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with production rising by 39.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Southern Europe's lactose and lactose syrup production has increased for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 40 476 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 26.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 56.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 16.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 20 704 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 20.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 54.6% rise in value.

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

Exports lactose and lactose syrup from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, lactose and lactose syrup exports from Southern Europe have increased. In 2020, export volume reached 29 667 tonnes, showing a limited rise of 9.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 4.5%, with an annualized rate of 1.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 27 215 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 4.0% decrease.

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

The partner structure for exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented, with France accounting for 23.0% of exports, the Netherlands for 7.3%, and the United Arab Emirates for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 37.3% of total export flows, and no single country held a dominant share.

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

Lactose and lactose syrup exports in Southern Europe have increased for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, export value amounted to 28 277 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong rise of 16.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 21 889 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.0%.

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

The market base for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was wide, with France accounting for 18.6% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 8.0%, and Indonesia for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 34.5% of total export flows, while the remaining 65.5% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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 lactose and lactose syrup to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Lactose and lactose syrup imports into Southern Europe have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 40 982 tonnes, up by 14.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 21.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of lactose and lactose syrup to Southern Europe in kind were the Netherlands, accounting for 32.1% of imports, Germany with 28.9%, and France with 15.0%. Together, these three countries comprised 76.1% of total imports in kind.

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

Imported lactose and lactose syrup volumes in Southern Europe have increased for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports amounted to 72 290 thousand US dollars, marking a gradual rise of 8.6% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 30.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the main markets for imports in value terms of lactose and lactose syrup to Southern Europe were Germany, accounting for 38.2% of imports, the Netherlands with 37.7%, and France with 8.9%. Jointly, these three countries took 84.9% of total import 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