Margarine market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the margarine market in the Netherlands stood at 96.5 thousand tonnes. The following year, market volume declined to 89.6 thousand tonnes, partly due to stricter European regulations against trans fats effective from May 2019, which raised production costs and prices, coupled with decreased consumer confidence. However, in 2020, the market rebounded to 108.8 thousand tonnes, supported by growing demand for plant-based and sustainable products, along with new product launches such as Sense margarine in Dutch supermarkets.

By 2021, market volume dropped to 85.3 thousand tonnes as consumer price sensitivity increased amid inflation and economic uncertainties. Production also contracted following Upfield's announcement in 2020 to close its Rotterdam plant by mid-2022. Despite continued rises in raw material and energy costs, by 2024 the market volume slightly recovered to 88.4 thousand tonnes, while the market value grew to 163.4 million US dollars, reflecting a shift towards premium segments with a focus on sustainability and health-driven innovations.

Throughout the 2018-2024 period, the margarine market in the Netherlands was shaped by regulatory changes such as the trans fat ban and evolving consumer preferences towards plant-based and healthier options. Major corporate events, including KKR's €6.8 billion acquisition of Unilever's spreads business in 2018 and Upfield's subsequent strategic moves, influenced production capacity and market pricing.

Production margarine in the Netherlands

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Margarine production in the Netherlands increased after two consecutive years of decline. In 2020, output reached 308.2 million US dollars, marking a 14.4% rise compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 269.5 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 23.6% drop.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Margarine production in the Netherlands grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, output stood at 201.8 thousand tonnes, showing only minor fluctuations year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 12.2%, corresponding to an annualized rate of -4.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 192.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 16.2%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 4.3% rise.

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

Exports margarine from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the Netherlands exported 117.4 thousand tonnes of margarine, representing a significant 15.6% reduction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.8%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 139.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana, France, and the United Kingdom formed the main cluster of markets for margarine exports in kind from the Netherlands. Ghana accounted for 19.6% of exports, France for 18.6%, and the United Kingdom for 13.7%, together representing 51.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the Netherlands exported 173.0 million US dollars worth of margarine, a modest decrease of 7.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 4.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, margarine exports in value terms from the Netherlands were relatively evenly distributed. France accounted for 18.0% of exports, Ghana for 15.9%, and the United Kingdom for 12.5%, jointly representing 46.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports margarine to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, foreign margarine supplies to the Netherlands amounted to 24.4 thousand tonnes, a strong decline of 12.7% from a year earlier. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 28.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Belgium played the leading roles in margarine imports in kind to the Netherlands, with a combined share of 80.6% of total flows. The remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, margarine imports to the Netherlands amounted to 32.0 million US dollars, equivalent to a 6.1% decline from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 3%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 29.9 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 34.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belgium, and Poland were the principal sources for margarine imports in value terms to the Netherlands. Germany accounted for 40.7% of imports, Belgium for 36.0%, and Poland for 8.7%, jointly representing 85.4% of total flows.

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

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