Milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for milk with fat content >1% and ≤6% in Austria remained stable, fluctuating between 470 and 480 thousand tons. During this period, the dairy industry focused on quality and specialization, with increasing production of extended shelf-life (ESL) milk and organic products, though these trends did not significantly expand domestic consumption.

A notable shift occurred in 2021 when the new Raw Milk Quality Ordinance came into effect, replacing previous class rules and introducing premium and discount adjustments based on fat and protein content. This regulatory change coincided with a sharp rise in market volume to 532.7 thousand tons, likely supported by a reorientation of supply toward the domestic market. The growth continued into 2022, when self-sufficiency in drinking milk reached 182%, reflecting high domestic availability.

From 2023 onward, the market contracted. Per-capita consumption of drinking milk declined, directly reducing the market volume to 517.4 thousand tons. This was exacerbated by competitive pressure from plant-based milk alternatives, whose market had been growing by 5–21% annually. In 2024, the market volume fell further to 369.1 thousand tons, though specific drivers for this steep drop are not highlighted in the reported sources.

Production milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Austria's production of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output of this milk was valued at 559.8 million US dollars, marking a 1.8% year-over-year gain. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Austria's production of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 886.9 thousand tonnes of this milk, up by 1.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 4.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.4%.

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

Exports milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% from Austria

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Austria's exports of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% have increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 516.1 thousand tonnes, up by 1.8% from 2019. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 507.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 6.2%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.7%, representing an annualized decline of 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Italy remained the leading markets for Austria's exports of this milk in volume terms, together accounting for 89.7% of total flows. Other partners played a supplementary role during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year fall, Austria's exports of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% have rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 296.1 million US dollars, up by 9.1% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 271.2 million US dollars, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 3.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany and Italy continued to be the main buyers of Austria's milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% in value terms, with a combined share of 87.8% of total exports. The remainder was fragmented across other countries.

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

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

Imports milk with fat content of >1% and ≤6% to Austria

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Austria's imports of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% reached 107.4 thousand tonnes, reflecting an 8.0% increase compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 122.9 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 19.1% and the largest increase in 2018 at 27.9%. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the structure of Austria's imports in volume terms was dominated by Germany, which accounted for 84.9% of total flows. A large number of minor partners also contributed during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Austria's imports of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% amounted to 59.9 million US dollars, which is 15.2% higher than in 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 71.0 million US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 26.7% and the largest increase in 2018 at 52.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 28.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for Austria's imports in value terms was centered on Germany, whose share amounted to 79.7% of total flows. Other markets formed a less significant perimeter during this time.

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

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