Market research

Milk and cream market in Europe

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Europe" region includes following countries:

Albania

Andorra

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Croatia

Gibraltar

Greece

the Holy See

Italy

Malta

Montenegro

Portugal

San Marino

Serbia

Slovenia

Spain

North Macedonia

Bulgaria

Belarus

Czechia

Hungary

Moldova

Poland

Romania

Russia

Slovakia

Ukraine

Denmark

Estonia

Faroe Islands

Finland

Åland Islands

Iceland

Ireland

Latvia

Lithuania

Norway

Sweden

the United Kingdom

Isle of Man

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Monaco

the Netherlands

Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the European milk and cream market volume expanded from 123 million tonnes to 143 million tonnes. This growth was partly fueled by shifts in consumer habits during the COVID-19 pandemic, where heightened health awareness and the reduction in out-of-home consumption boosted demand for dairy products for home use.

In 2021, market volume rose to 146 million tonnes, supported by an 11.6% expansion in the production of whole milk powder, cream, and partly skimmed milk powder. The following year, the war in Ukraine, high inflation, and soaring energy costs dampened consumer demand, limiting market growth to 148 million tonnes.

A significant surge to 180 million tonnes occurred in 2023, coinciding with a 0.7% increase in EU milk deliveries in the first half of the year and the acquisition of FrieslandCampina's German processing plants by Müller-Milch, which strengthened production capacity. During this period, the plant-based alternatives segment also grew, though consumption of traditional milk and cream continued to rise.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Europe
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2018-2023, M t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, M t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, M t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production milk and cream in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Europe's milk and cream production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, production reached 145.3 million tonnes, marking a 14.5% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 6.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 125.0 million tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.7% during this timeframe.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.7%)	1.5%	14.5%	2.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Europe's milk and cream production value has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 870 billion US dollars, reflecting a 2.0% year-on-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 22.1%, translating to an average annual decline of 8.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.9%)	(17.3%)	(2.0%)	(8.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports milk and cream from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Europe's milk and cream export volumes have rebounded. In 2020, exports totaled 5 917 thousand tonnes, showing a significant increase of 41.6% compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall exports decreased by 15.8%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 5.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 177 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 23.4% during this period.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(22.4%)	(23.4%)	41.6%	(5.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, China and Libya were the two main destinations for Europe's milk and cream exports in volume terms. China accounted for 4.2% of total flows, while Libya represented 0.6%, together making up 4.8% of all exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Europe's milk and cream export value has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 7 081 million US dollars, a 3.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 6.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 774 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 2.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 5.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.2%	(5.2%)	(3.9%)	(2.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia were the leading destinations for Europe's milk and cream exports in value terms. China accounted for 6.2% of total export value, South Korea for 0.9%, and Saudi Arabia for 0.6%. Together, these three countries represented 7.8% of all export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports milk and cream to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe's milk and cream import volumes amounted to 3 375 thousand tonnes, a 25.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 39.6%, with an average annual decline of 15.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 36.6%, while 2019 saw the largest increase of 28.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(36.6%)	28.1%	(25.6%)	(15.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Europe's milk and cream import value has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 6 057 million US dollars, showing a 4.0% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 13.8%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.8%.

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