Milk and cream market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the German milk and cream market value declined from 6 575 to 5 648 million $ US. This drop occurred as dairy companies faced increased compliance costs from preparing for upcoming mandatory individual labeling for pasteurized products and from implementing new raw milk quality regulations, which constrained production. Ongoing retail consolidation also maintained price pressure on suppliers.

The market recovered from 2020, with value rising to 6 035 million $ US in 2020 and 6 446 million $ US in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic boosted at-home consumption of milk and cream, driving demand despite supply chain disruptions. Furthermore, historically high producer prices in 2021 elevated production costs and market value.

Market value surged to 7 759 million $ US in 2022 before moderating to 7 571 million $ US in 2024. The full enforcement of individual product labeling from October 2023 and the introduction of a deposit system for single-use milk bottles in January 2024 increased packaging and operational expenses. Simultaneously, the revision of milk product regulations and the launch of a 'Germany labeling' scheme prompted product and packaging adjustments across the industry.

Production milk and cream in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2018, Germany's milk and cream output reached its peak value of 6 537 million US dollars. This was followed by a significant decline of 11.0% in 2019, bringing the value down to 5 819 million US dollars. In 2020, production recovered slightly, increasing by 3.0% year-over-year to reach 5 993 million US dollars.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked 20th globally in milk and cream production.

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

In 2018, Germany produced the highest volume of milk and cream during this period, reaching 10 002 thousand tonnes, which represented an 8.5% increase. Production then fell by 5.7% in 2019. In 2020, output remained relatively stable at 9 472 thousand tonnes, showing no significant change compared to the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.9%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2019, Germany's milk and cream exports saw their largest increase of 6.7%. However, in 2020, export volume dropped to 2 151 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 7.7% compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 8.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Italy, and China were consistently the top destinations for Germany's milk and cream exports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 29.8% of exports, Italy for 24.4%, and China for 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented 65.4% of Germany's total export flows in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's milk and cream exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 379 million US dollars, marking a modest decrease of 4.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the overall decline was 6.9%, with an annualized rate of 2.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Italy, and China were the leading markets for Germany's milk and cream exports by value. The Netherlands held 24.4% of export value, Italy 17.0%, and China 13.3%. Collectively, these three countries made up 54.6% of Germany's total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's milk and cream imports by volume declined over two years, with the largest drop of 15.4% occurring in 2018. The lowest point was in 2019, at 2 380 thousand tonnes. In 2020, imports rebounded strongly, increasing by 16.2% to reach 2 766 thousand tonnes. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 11%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Poland, and Denmark were the core sources of Germany's milk and cream imports by volume. Czechia accounted for 24.1% of imports, while Poland and Denmark each contributed 17.7%. Together, these three countries represented 59.5% of Germany's total import flows in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's milk and cream imports in value terms decreased over two years, with the largest decline of 15.5% recorded in 2019, bringing the value down to 1 266 million US dollars. In 2020, imports recovered, rising by 12.3% to 1 422 million US dollars. From 2017 to 2020, the overall decrease was 16.8%, with an annualized rate of 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Czechia, and Denmark were the primary suppliers of milk and cream to Germany by value. Poland accounted for 19.7% of import value, Czechia for 17.6%, and Denmark for 14.4%. Together, these three countries made up 51.7% of Germany's total imports in value terms.

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

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