Milk market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The milk market volume in Western Europe grew from 82 741 thousand tons in 2018 to 86 202 thousand tons in 2023. A key driver was the expansion of milk production in Germany at the end of 2019, which increased overall supply and contributed to the market's rise.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily reduced market volume as shifts in consumer behavior, including the loss of out-of-home consumption, affected demand. By 2022, rising producer prices for raw milk encouraged higher output, while a decline in imports of plant-based milk alternatives redirected some demand back to conventional milk, supporting renewed growth.

In 2023, the introduction of new product segments such as milk with ginger, tulsi, and turmeric helped sustain demand. Throughout the period, ongoing structural changes like the trend toward larger dairy farms and increasing consumer preference for sustainable products continued to influence the market's development.

Production milk in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Milk production in Western Europe has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 86 573 thousand tonnes of milk, marking a slight increase of 0.6% compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

In 2020, the value of milk production in Western Europe reached 217.9 billion US dollars, representing a year-on-year increase of 10.9%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 5.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 196.6 billion US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports milk from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Milk exports from Western Europe have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 4 485 thousand tonnes, down by 3.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 28.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, milk exports from Western Europe were distributed across a wide range of markets. Italy accounted for 16.1% of exports in kind, China for 5.6%, and Spain for 2.0%, with these three countries together making up only 23.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of milk exports from Western Europe has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 9 303 million US dollars, up by 2.0% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 898 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated milk exports in value terms. Italy represented 9.2% of export value, China 7.1%, and the United Kingdom 2.6%, with these three countries together accounting for only 18.8% of total export value. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports milk to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe's milk import volume totalled 3 653 thousand tonnes, reflecting a decrease of 18.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 190 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 4 490 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 21.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a rise of 40.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner landscape for milk imports in kind was diverse. Czechia accounted for 10.3% of imports in kind, Poland for 8.1%, and Denmark for 8.0%, with these three countries together forming only 26.3% of total import flows. The remaining 73.7% came from many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, milk imports into Western Europe have increased. In 2020, imports totalled 5 252 million US dollars, corresponding to an advance of 1.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 179 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for milk imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Poland accounted for 6.6% of import value, Czechia for 4.9%, and Denmark for 4.5%, with these three countries jointly representing 16.0% of total import flows. Many other countries accounted for the remaining 84.0%.

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

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