Milk market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German milk market volume saw initial fluctuations from 2018 to 2020. In 2018, some dairies changed the milk conversion factor from 1.02 to 1.03, which mechanically increased recorded milk volumes. That same year, the European drought reduced feed quality, putting pressure on yields. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and shifted consumer patterns, leading to higher imports and lower exports that expanded the domestic market volume to over 33 million tons.

Post-pandemic adjustment and price signals shaped the market from 2021 onward. Milk prices stabilized after the initial shock, then reached historically high levels in 2022. These high prices slowed the decline in dairy herd numbers and supported production. By 2023, despite a continued drop in the number of farms in favor of larger operations, market volume jumped to 34.7 million tons, aided by sustained import growth.

Throughout the period, consumer demand for organic and more natural dairy products remained a steady driver for premium segments. Structural shifts toward larger, more efficient farms continued. In 2024, the Bluetongue disease outbreak reduced milk deliveries, highlighting the sector's ongoing vulnerability to animal health challenges.

Production milk in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked sixth globally in milk production.

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

In 2020, Germany produced 33 189 K t of milk, showing no change compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1.5%, while 2019 saw the largest decline at 0.0%.

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

Exports milk from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's milk export volume reached 2 883 K t in 2020, down 7.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 8.5%, averaging an annual decline of 2.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 4.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (28.0% of exports in kind), Italy (19.9%), and China (9.3%) were the top buyers of German milk, together accounting for 57.2% of total exports 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 export value increased for the second consecutive year, reaching 2 962 M $ US in 2020, up 1.5% from the previous year. The minimum value was 2 790 M $ US in 2018, which also saw the largest decline at 6.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 4.6%.

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

Over 2017–2020, the Netherlands (21.9% of exports in value terms), Italy (12.5%), and China (8.8%) were the largest buyers of German milk by value, together making up 43.2% of total exports amid a diverse range of smaller partners.

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 to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Germany's milk imports rose in 2020, totaling 2 883 K t, a 15.1% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 8.2%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The minimum volume was 2 599 K t in 2019, and the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Czechia, Poland, and Denmark—together accounted for 56.2% of Germany's total milk imports 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

Following a two-year decrease, Germany's milk import value increased in 2020, reaching 1 862 M $ US, a strong gain of 12.2% from a year earlier. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports fell by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.4%. The minimum value was 1 660 M $ US in 2019, and the largest decline was in 2018 at 10.9%.

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

In 2017–2020, the Netherlands (18.9% of imports in value terms), Poland (17.3%), and Czechia (14.3%) were the main sources for Germany's milk imports by value, together representing 50.5% of total import flows.

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

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