Milk and cream market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the non-concentrated, non-sweetened milk and cream market in Spain rose from 16.0 million tons in 2018 to 23.3 million tons in 2023. This growth followed a pattern of expansion in 2019, a contraction in 2020, and a particularly sharp increase in 2021.

The market's significant expansion in 2021 was followed by continued growth, supported by increased production of drinking milk and cream. Rising consumer interest in lactose-free products further contributed to volume gains, with this segment showing strong value growth. By 2023, the market stabilized at a high level, sustained by ongoing production and consumption of cow's milk and cream, alongside steady demand for lactose-free options.

Throughout the period, broader factors such as inflationary cost pressures and shifts in consumer preferences toward private label products influenced the market environment, but did not reverse the overall trend of volume growth.

Production milk and cream in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Southern Europe produced 14,987 thousand tonnes of milk and cream in 2020, marking a 6.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 14,297 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 16,061 thousand tonnes. The most significant year-on-year increase was observed in 2019, when production rose by 12.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, milk and cream production in Southern Europe experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 38,686 million US dollars, representing an 8.1% drop compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 21.5%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 6.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 42,118 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 15.4% occurring in 2018.

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

Exports milk and cream from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Southern Europe exported 528 thousand tonnes of milk and cream in 2020, reflecting a 4.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 19%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 330 thousand tonnes, while the peak was reached in 2019 with 550 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 25.7%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2019, with a 66.7% rise.

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

An analysis of export volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a highly diversified market distribution. Libya accounted for 5.5% of exports, France for 5.4%, and Angola for 3.2%. Together, these three markets represented just 14.0% of total export flows, with the remaining 86.0% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of milk and cream exports from Southern Europe reached 654 million US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 6.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 2.7%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 614 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 657 million US dollars. The most significant decline was observed in 2019, when export value decreased by 6.6%.

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

The market base for export value from 2017 to 2020 was broad and diverse. France accounted for 13.4% of exports, Libya for 4.9%, and South Korea for 4.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 23.0% of total export flows, with the remaining 77.0% shared among numerous other nations.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, milk and cream imports into Southern Europe declined. In 2020, imports totaled 1,834 thousand tonnes, representing a significant decrease of 16.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 9.5%, with an average annual decline rate of 3.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,194 thousand tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 5.4% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources of milk and cream imports into Southern Europe were Germany, accounting for 24.8% of import volume, France with 19.2%, and Austria with 13.8%. Together, these three countries represented 57.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of milk and cream imports into Southern Europe stood at 1,143 million US dollars, indicating a substantial decline of 13.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 13.1%, with an average annual decline rate of 4.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,321 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 0.5% also occurring in that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany remained the top supplier of milk and cream to Southern Europe in value terms, accounting for 23.4% of imports, followed by France with 19.0% and Austria with 11.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 54.2% of total import value.

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

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