Milk and cream market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not concentrated, not sweetened milk and cream in Lithuania showed notable shifts between 2018 and 2024. Market volume reached 590 thousand tons in 2022, up from 524 thousand tons in 2018, with the strongest growth occurring as EU-wide dairy production declined. This created pressure on supply, leading to increased imports to meet processing needs while Lithuanian raw milk was retained domestically due to comparatively higher purchase prices. The market value followed a similar trajectory, peaking at $381 million in 2022 before volume receded to 546 thousand tons by 2024.

By 2025, the market landscape was shaped by significant developments. The major cooperative Pienas LT expanded its operations, opening a new modern production facility and obtaining Halal and Kosher certifications to access export markets including China. Geopolitical instability, particularly in the Middle East, directly affected export patterns, with Lithuania directing a larger share of dairy shipments to Asian and Gulf countries. Concurrently, unsweetened condensed milk gained traction as a lower-calorie alternative to cream in various food applications, supported by clear legislative standards for product composition and quality.

Production milk and cream in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of decline, Lithuania's milk and cream production rebounded in 2021. The output value reached 270.1 million US dollars, representing a significant 35.2% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 4.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2020 at 199.8 million US dollars, while the steepest decline occurred in 2019 when production fell by 19.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2018-2021

World map of production of milk and cream, 2018-2021

After two years of contraction, Lithuania's milk and cream production volume showed recovery in 2021. The country produced 184.1 thousand tons, marking a 2.9% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader 2018-2021 timeframe, production actually decreased by 4.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 178.9 thousand tons, while the most substantial drop occurred in 2019 with a 6.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports milk and cream from Lithuania

Exports in kind, K t

Lithuania exported 169.7 thousand tons of milk and cream in 2021, representing a 3.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 7.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 when exports fell by 2.0%, while the strongest growth was recorded in 2019 with a 6.6% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Poland and Latvia maintained their positions as Lithuania's primary export partners for milk and cream in volume terms. Together, these two countries accounted for 86.4% of total export flows, with all other partners making up the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Lithuania's milk and cream exports rebounded in 2021. Export value reached 211.0 million US dollars, representing a substantial 34.6% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 8.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2020 at 156.7 million US dollars, while the most significant decline occurred in 2019 when exports fell by 16.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, Poland and Germany consistently led as Lithuania's main export markets for milk and cream in value terms. Together, these two countries accounted for 81.4% of total export flows, with other partners playing a supplementary role.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports milk and cream to Lithuania

Imports in kind, K t

Lithuania's milk and cream imports continued to grow for the third consecutive year in 2021. Import volume reached 538.5 thousand tons, representing a 3.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 10.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, K t

During the 2018-2021 period, Latvia and Estonia dominated Lithuania's milk and cream imports in volume terms. Together, these two countries accounted for 91.1% of total import flows, with other destinations making smaller individual contributions.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Lithuania's milk and cream imports continued to grow for the second consecutive year in 2021. Import value reached 232.2 million US dollars, indicating a substantial 18.6% year-over-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 25%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.7%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 183.7 million US dollars, while the most significant decline also occurred in 2019 with a 1.1% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, Latvia and Estonia consistently led as Lithuania's main import sources for milk and cream in value terms. Together, these two countries accounted for 87.7% of total import flows, with other partners playing a supplementary role.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021