Milk market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The Polish milk market saw foundational shifts from 2018, starting with an amendment to the Milk Market Organization Act that simplified production data reporting and transferred enforcement to the National Support Center for Agriculture (KOWR), aiming to streamline the market and support development. Simultaneously, the farm structure consolidated toward larger holdings with over ten cows, improving economies of scale, while the EUR/PLN exchange rate remained a key factor influencing production competitiveness and export dynamics.

Rising production costs from 2020, driven by higher prices for grain, fertilizers, plant protection products, and fuel, pressured farm profitability. Despite this, ongoing sector consolidation and modernization supported milk production growth, lifting the market value from 1.6 billion USD in 2020 to 1.8 billion USD in 2021. A sharp turn came in 2022 when increased global demand and heatwave‑induced supply constraints in Europe pushed up raw milk and dairy product prices substantially. This surge, alongside a VAT law change affecting input costs, propelled the market size to 2.3 billion USD, a 25% annual increase.

In 2023, farm‑gate milk prices fell about 25% from late‑2022 peaks, even as collection volume grew 2.2%, while production costs jumped an estimated 60‑70%, squeezing margins. Poland distinguished itself as one of the few EU countries expanding milk output. By 2024, milk collection continued its systematic rise, with first‑half supply up 4.2% year‑on‑year, though rising wage costs in processing added pressure. World dairy price increases and robust EU demand provided a supportive backdrop for exports.

Production milk in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Poland's milk output was valued at 2 063 million US dollars, remaining virtually unchanged from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 16.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland held the 14th position globally in milk production.

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Poland's milk production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 14 831 thousand tonnes of milk, marking a slight increase of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 523.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 84.1%.

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

Exports milk from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Milk exports from Poland rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 992.7 thousand tonnes, staying flat relative to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 40.2%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, China, and Algeria were the primary buyers of milk from Poland, accounting for 54.4%, 8.0%, and 4.3% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 66.6% of total exports in kind.

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

Poland's milk exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 833.8 million US dollars, up by 1.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 21.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Germany, Algeria, and China—collectively accounted for 55.4% of Poland's total milk exports in value terms.

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 to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Poland's milk imports declined. In 2020, imports stood at 298.7 thousand tonnes, reflecting a modest decrease of 9.2% from 2019. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 329.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 13.8%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Lithuania, Germany, and Czechia—together accounted for 77.4% of Poland's total milk imports in kind.

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

Following a two-year uptick, Poland's milk imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 391.7 million US dollars, down by 2.8% year-on-year. The maximum value was reached in 2019 at 403.1 million US dollars, with the largest increase in 2018 at 8.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 14.5%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, Lithuania, and the Netherlands formed the core of Poland's milk imports in value terms, representing 33.5%, 30.1%, and 6.4% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 70.0% of total import flows.

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

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