Milk and cream market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for milk and cream in Finland fell from 605.2 thousand tons to 554.4 thousand tons. The market during these years was dominated by a few large players like Valio Oy and sustained by a cultural preference for local dairy products.

The decline continued through 2023, reaching a low of 447.6 thousand tons. In 2021, higher export prices led to increased overseas shipments, reducing domestic supply. The following year, a drop in the number of dairy farms and overall milk production further constrained output. By 2023, rising consumer prices for milk products suppressed volume demand, even as the market's value grew due to higher unit prices.

In 2024, volume rebounded to 479.0 thousand tons. This recovery was supported by government subsidies for nutritious foods and ongoing enhancements in product packaging, which helped mitigate the effects of lower household purchasing power.

Production milk and cream in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Milk and cream production in Finland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 459.4 million US dollars, down 0.8% from the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 490.4 million US dollars, with a 4.4% increase that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling 5.5%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 2.2%, averaging an annual decline of 0.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Milk and cream production in Finland declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Finland produced 558.9 thousand tonnes, a gradual drop of 3.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 14.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Finland exported 12 299 tonnes of milk and cream in 2020, a significant increase of 29.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling 7.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 34.8%, averaging an annual increase of 10.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market was highly concentrated, with Sweden alone accounting for 92.9% of total exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Finland exported 24.595 million US dollars worth of milk and cream in 2020, marking a modest uptick of 4.1% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 25.565 million US dollars, with a 24.7% increase that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping 7.6%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 19.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of milk and cream from Finland, accounting for 92.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Finland

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Finland's volume of milk and cream imports increased in 2020. The country imported 7 759 tonnes, a limited rise of 8.1% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 174 tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 26.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 31.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany concentrated 70.3% of total imports by volume, while the rest was shared among many countries with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, Finland's milk and cream imports in value terms remained virtually unchanged in 2020 compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5.087 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 27.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 33.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the key supplier of milk and cream to Finland, taking 71.2% of total imports in value terms, while a diversified group of other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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