Milk and cream market in Greece, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for milk and cream in Greece expanded from 2 032 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 219 thousand tons in 2021, with a peak of 2 211 thousand tons in 2019. A minor contraction in 2020 coincided with relative stability in producer milk prices, which helped maintain market equilibrium. Growth in 2021 was supported by rising imports of cow's, goat, and sheep milk, which offset a reported reduction in the number of domestic milk producers.

Market volume stabilized around 2 220 thousand tons in 2022, even as the dairy herd for milk production shrank by 12% and overall dairy product volumes declined across categories. This period saw a shift in consumer behavior, with household consumption of fresh cow's milk rising significantly, and the outbreak of a price war among major dairy companies exerting downward pressure on retail prices. By 2023, the market volume fell to 2 172 thousand tons, reflecting a continued contraction in dairy product volumes. This occurred alongside rising producer and retail prices driven by higher production costs and a sustained consumer pivot toward fresh milk.

Into 2024, total milk production in Greece held steady, while producer prices reached among the highest levels in the European Union, indicating persistent cost pressures. The overall milk supply balance stabilized, with the market adapting to structural shifts in production capacity and sustained changes in consumption patterns.

Production milk and cream in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Greece produced 2 098 K t of milk and cream, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 909 K t, which saw a decline of 3.7%. Production then rebounded significantly in 2019, reaching a peak of 2 100 K t with a substantial increase of 10.0%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2017, Greece's milk and cream exports hit their lowest point, while they peaked in 2018 at 11.4 K t, showing a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports reached 7.3 K t, marking a gradual decline of 10.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 29.5%, whereas the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 79.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Germany formed the core group of markets for Greece's milk and cream exports in kind. Cyprus accounted for 29.6% of exports, Bulgaria for 21.8%, and Germany for 17.0%. Together, these three countries represented 68.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Greece's milk and cream exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 8.3 M $ US, which is 9.0% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 13.3 M $ US, with an increase of 69.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 31.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Cyprus, and Germany were the key partners for Greece's milk and cream exports in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 21.1% of exports, Cyprus for 19.8%, and Germany for 17.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 58.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of milk and cream to Greece declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 104.9 K t, marking a solid reduction of 11.4% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 26.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Slovenia, and Romania were the largest suppliers of milk and cream to Greece in kind. Germany accounted for 24.7% of imports, Slovenia for 14.0%, and Romania for 13.7%. Together, these three countries formed 52.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign milk and cream supplies to Greece declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Greece imported 83.1 M $ US of milk and cream, representing a strong drop of 13.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 32%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 12.0%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, Germany, Romania, and Austria were important suppliers of milk and cream to Greece in value terms. Germany accounted for 29.7% of imports, Romania for 10.7%, and Austria for 8.9%. However, their combined share reached only 49.4% of total imports, with the remaining 50.6% distributed among many other partners.

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

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