Milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5% market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss market for milk powder with fat content ≤1.5% showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. A notable shift occurred in 2019 when strong export orientation, with shipments valued at USD 31.6 million to destinations including China and Russia, reduced domestic availability, contributing to a market volume decline to 10 867 t.

Market volume then surged to 15 427 t in 2020, fell back to 11 724 t in 2021, and peaked again at 15 407 t in 2022 before contracting to 12 218 t in 2023. These pronounced swings took place without specific reported regulatory or major structural changes within the Swiss dairy sector during these years.

In 2024, market developments included significant activity from leading companies. Nestlé introduced a plant-based hybrid milk powder variant in Switzerland, targeting health-conscious consumers by reducing saturated fat content by over 20%. Simultaneously, Lactalis expanded its production footprint with a new drying tower facility in Belgium, processing 320 million liters of milk annually, which may influence regional supply chains.

Production milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5% in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland ranked as the 22nd largest global producer of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5%.

Top producers of milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5%, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5%, 2017-2020

In 2020, Switzerland produced 23 425 tonnes of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5%, marking a modest increase of 2.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.9%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 22 771 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Milk powder production with a fat content of ≤1.5% in Switzerland rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 70 604 thousand US dollars, representing a significant increase of 20.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 10.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 48 728 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 23.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Switzerland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5% from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year upward trend, Switzerland's export volume of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% declined. In 2020, exports totaled 9 247 tonnes, down by 24.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 19.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 12 283 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 49.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Russia, and North Korea remained the top buyers of Swiss milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% by volume. China accounted for 39.1% of exports, Russia for 20.8%, and North Korea for 11.7%, collectively representing 71.6% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of milk powder exports from Switzerland with a fat content of ≤1.5% decreased. In 2020, exports reached 27 872 thousand US dollars, falling by 11.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 29.6%, with an annualized rate of 9.0%. The highest value was in 2019 at 31 596 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 30.9%.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, China, Russia, and North Korea were the primary destinations for Swiss milk powder exports with a fat content of ≤1.5%. China held 39.3% of export value, Russia 21.3%, and North Korea 13.8%, together making up 74.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5% to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Import volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 24-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Switzerland imported 1 249 tonnes of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5%, a sharp increase of 229.7% from the previous year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 51 tonnes, which also recorded the largest decline of 19.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 639.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United States, and the Netherlands consistently led as the main sources of imports by volume for milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% in Switzerland. Germany accounted for 67.2% of imports, the United States for 11.6%, and the Netherlands for 7.9%, collectively representing 86.6% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values varied by 10.4 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, imports reached 4 369 thousand US dollars, up by 294.2% year-over-year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 420 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 14.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the United States, and the Netherlands accounted for the largest share of import value for milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% in Switzerland. Germany represented 60.2% of imports, the United States 15.5%, and the Netherlands 5.5%, together comprising 81.1% of total import flows.

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

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