Milk and cream market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Polish milk and cream market volume showed mixed movements. Increased milk production, supported by rising cow productivity and ongoing concentration in farms, bolstered supply. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to higher production and exports despite lower prices for some products, contributing to a market volume increase to 1 743 thousand tons.

The market continued its transformation in 2021-2022 with the consolidation of dairy cooperatives and a reduction in dairy cow herds, yet milk collection still grew. Record-high milk prices in 2022, fueled by rising global demand for cheese and butter, along with the implementation of a law regulating milk assessment laboratories, stimulated production, pushing the market volume to a peak of 1 823 thousand tons.

By 2023-2024, high consumer prices and increased production costs dampened domestic demand, leading the market volume to fall to 1 678 thousand tons in 2024. Concurrently, rising world dairy prices and growing export volumes maintained production activity, redirecting more output abroad.

Production milk and cream in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Milk and cream production in Poland has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 492 million US dollars, marking a 6.3% year-over-year growth. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 15.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland 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 Poland has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Poland produced 2 400 thousand tonnes, reflecting a slight gain of 3.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 11.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.8%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of milk and cream from Poland have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 838.4 thousand tonnes, indicating a slight increase of 1.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 42%, with an annualized growth rate of 12.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Poland's milk and cream exports in kind were Germany, accounting for 62.8% of exports, China with 8.9%, and Lithuania at 4.7%. Together, these three countries represented 76.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, milk and cream deliveries from Poland declined in 2020. Exports were recorded at 469.4 million US dollars, which is 3.4% less than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 10.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The maximum value was reached in 2019 at 485.7 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 10.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, China, and Lithuania formed the key group of partners for Poland's milk and cream exports in value terms. Germany accounted for 58.2% of exports, China for 8.1%, and Lithuania for 3.9%, jointly representing 70.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Imported milk and cream volumes in Poland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 181.6 thousand tonnes, corresponding to a solid decline of 18.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 223.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 15.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lithuania, Germany, and Czechia led the structure of Poland's milk and cream imports in kind. Lithuania accounted for 50.0% of imports, Germany for 21.0%, and Czechia for 14.2%, together representing 85.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Milk and cream import volumes in Poland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 161.6 million US dollars, equivalent to a decrease of 14.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The maximum value was reached in 2018 at 194.3 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lithuania, Germany, and Czechia were the largest suppliers of milk and cream to Poland in value terms. Lithuania accounted for 55.9% of imports, Germany for 23.7%, and Czechia for 6.6%, together forming 86.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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