Milk market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, milk production in Spain increased from 2,932 million US dollars to 3,131 million US dollars, while the market size grew from 2,822 million to 2,992 million US dollars over the same period.

Starting in 2021, rising energy and raw material costs introduced market volatility. The following year, severe drought and heat waves across Europe reduced milk output by approximately 4%. Simultaneously, the entry of new operators into milk drying plants boosted demand for milk used in industrial processing, contributing to record-high prices for milk and dairy products.

By 2023, cow's milk deliveries saw a mild recovery supported by stable prices and demand. However, production of sheep and goat milk stagnated due to low profitability and a lack of generational renewal. In 2024, the recovery in cow's milk supplies continued, while structural factors such as eroded margins and demographic challenges persistently affected the sheep and goat milk segments.

Production milk in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Milk production in Spain has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 131 million US dollars, marking a 2.2% year-on-year growth. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Spain's milk production volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 161 thousand tonnes of milk, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 10.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%.

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

Exports milk from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Milk exports from Spain have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 278.5 thousand tonnes of milk, representing a 6.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 7.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 239.0 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 7.7%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 9.3% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Spanish milk in volume terms were Portugal, accounting for 21.0% of exports, France with 20.7%, and Italy at 9.5%. Together, these three countries comprised 51.1% of Spain's total milk exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's milk exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 454.6 million US dollars, reflecting a 5.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 412.3 million US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Spain's milk exports in value terms was highly diversified. France led with 24.7% of exports, followed by Portugal at 11.7%, and China at 10.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 46.4% of total export flows, while the remaining 53.6% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports milk to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain's milk imports stood at 229.2 thousand tonnes, showing a gradual drop of 8.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.8%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 14.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 8.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of milk imports to Spain in volume terms were France, accounting for 45.1% of imports, Portugal with 23.4%, and Germany at 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented 77.9% of total import flows in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's imported milk volumes were valued at 315.2 million US dollars, showing no significant change compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 302.0 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 5.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 4.7% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the core group of markets for Spain's milk imports in value terms consisted of France, accounting for 31.9% of imports, Germany with 18.0%, and the Netherlands at 14.9%. Together, these three countries represented 64.9% of total import flows.

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

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