Processed liquid milk market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian processed liquid milk market experienced notable shifts between 2018 and 2024. After a contraction to 534 thousand tonnes in 2019, market volume recovered and peaked at 629 thousand tonnes in 2022. The subsequent two years saw a steep decline, with consumption dropping to 440 thousand tonnes by 2024. This downturn aligned with a reduction in the number of dairy processing companies, which fell to 71 operating at 96 sites by the start of 2024, tightening domestic supply. Simultaneously, exports of dairy products increased, rising by 3% in value in 2024, diverting more milk away from the local market.

Structural trends within the dairy sector also shaped the market. Production increasingly shifted towards extended-shelf-life (ESL) and UHT milk, particularly within the growing organic segment. Consumer and industry focus on high sustainability standards, including genetic modification-free feed and animal welfare, continued to influence production practices. The market remained dominated by a few key players, such as Berglandmilch, while being supplied by a base of small, grassland-based family farms averaging 24 cows each.

Production processed liquid milk in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Austria's processed liquid milk production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 614.0 million US dollars, showing a slight year-over-year increase of 1.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 5.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of growth, Austria's processed liquid milk production declined. In 2020, output stood at 1 050 thousand tonnes, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 1 052 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 1.4% also occurring that year.

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

Exports processed liquid milk from Austria

Exports in kind, K t

Processed liquid milk exports from Austria have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Austria exported 631.5 thousand tonnes, showing minimal change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Italy were the main buyers of processed liquid milk from Austria, together accounting for 90.3% of total exports in volume. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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

Processed liquid milk exports from Austria have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 330.3 million US dollars, marking a moderate 8.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 6.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 301.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 3.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany and Italy dominated Austria's processed liquid milk exports in value terms, together forming 87.4% of the total. Germany accounted for 50.0% and Italy for 37.4%, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports processed liquid milk to Austria

Imports in kind, K t

Austria imported 130.6 thousand tonnes of processed liquid milk in 2020, indicating a significant 11.7% gain compared to 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 7.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 117.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual drop of 41.1%. In contrast, the peak was in 2018 at 198.4 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 19.7% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria's imports of processed liquid milk in volume were heavily dominated by Germany, which held an 85.2% share of total flows. Other partners accounted for relatively minor shares.

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 processed liquid milk imports from abroad totaled 75.6 million US dollars, marking a robust 24.9% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 60.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 42.7%. The peak was in 2018 at 105.7 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 44.4% recorded that year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany concentrated 77.9% of Austria's processed liquid milk imports in value terms. The remaining volume was distributed among many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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