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

Earlier Report Observations

In the initial years from 2018 to 2020, production of milk with fat content >1% and ≤6% increased, supported by growing cow milk yields and an expanded herd. Consumer preferences for the 3.2% fat segment remained steady. However, market volume contracted in 2019 as economic factors and lower household incomes reduced consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further constrained consumer mobility and spending, though robust export activity helped offset some pressure on domestic sales.

From 2021 onward, inflation and rising energy costs significantly affected dairy consumption patterns. Despite these headwinds, production was bolstered by higher farmgate milk prices. In 2022, the introduction of a new law on target prices and intervention payments provided additional support to producers. This period also saw the emergence of the lactose-free segment, with major player Mlekovita launching a full product line, diversifying the market offerings.

The market experienced notable price volatility in 2023 and 2024, with costs peaking in the first half of 2023 before correcting. High input costs, including energy and inflation, continued to squeeze producer margins. Supply of raw milk stabilized while strong export demand persisted, contributing to a gradual decline in domestic market volume over these two years.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Poland'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 1 048 million US dollars, marking an 11.9% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 22.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Poland's production volume of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, Poland produced 1 983 thousand tonnes of this milk, reflecting a 4.1% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 12.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.0%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% from Poland have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 724.6 thousand tonnes, up by 3.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 46.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, China, and Lithuania were the main buyers of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% from Poland, accounting for 62.8%, 10.2%, and 4.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 77.7% 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

Export values of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% from Poland have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, Poland exported 338.4 million US dollars worth of this milk, representing a 6.9% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 51.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, China, and Lithuania were the primary buyers of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% from Poland in value terms, with shares of 55.7%, 12.7%, and 4.9%, respectively. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 73.3% of total 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 with fat content of >1% and ≤6% to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% into Poland have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Poland imported 87.8 thousand tonnes of this milk, down by 32.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 10.5%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 140.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Lithuania, Germany, and Czechia were the key sources for imports in kind of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% into Poland, together accounting for 92.7% of total import flows.

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

Import values of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% into Poland have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 40.3 million US dollars, equivalent to a 26.2% year-over-year contraction. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 22.7%, with a compound annual decline of 8.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 58.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 11.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lithuania, Germany, and Czechia remained the principal suppliers of milk with a fat content between 1% and 6% to Poland in value terms, with shares of 46.2%, 27.2%, and 16.7%, respectively. Jointly, these three countries accounted for 90.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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