Processed liquid milk market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for processed liquid milk in Germany experienced fluctuations in physical volume between 2018 and 2024. After reaching 9 530 thousand tons in 2018, consumption dropped to 8 544 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 9 122 thousand tons in 2020. The following years saw a gradual decline, with the market stabilizing around 8 650-8 667 thousand tons in 2021-2022, then falling to 8 156 thousand tons in 2024. In value terms, the market grew from 4 152 million USD in 2018 to 5 115 million USD in 2023, before decreasing to 4 795 million USD in 2024.

Regulatory developments began influencing the market from 2022, when discussions started about extending the single-use deposit system to milk and milk-based drinks. This led to industry preparations and debates on hygiene and recycling challenges. In January 2024, the deposit obligation was formally introduced for milk in single-use plastic bottles, accompanied by labeling requirements. These changes increased packaging and logistics costs for manufacturers, contributing to the shift in market dynamics observed in 2024.

Production processed liquid milk in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output value of processed liquid milk reached 3 998 million US dollars in 2020, showing a moderate increase of 6.1% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 999 million US dollars, while the minimum occurred in 2019 at 3 767 million US dollars. The largest decline was observed in 2019, with a drop of 5.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.6%, translating to an annualized rate of 1.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In Germany, the production of processed liquid milk totaled 8 481 thousand tonnes in 2020, remaining relatively stable year-over-year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 044 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 9.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 6.5%. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.7%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%.

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

Exports processed liquid milk from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany exported 1 930 thousand tonnes of processed liquid milk in 2020, marking an 8.9% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 7.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 10.8%, which equates to an annualized rate of 3.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Italy, and China were the key destinations for Germany's processed liquid milk exports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 30.8% of exports, Italy for 25.5%, and China for 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 68.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's processed liquid milk exports reached 923 million US dollars, reflecting a contraction of 4.1% versus the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 886 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 11.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 8.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.2%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, China, and Italy formed the core group of markets for Germany's processed liquid milk exports in value terms. The Netherlands held a 26.7% share, while China and Italy each accounted for 18.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 64.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports processed liquid milk to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Germany's processed liquid milk imports increased in 2020, reaching 2 571 thousand tonnes, which represents a 16.7% gain compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 202 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline in 2018 at 15.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 11.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Denmark, and Poland were the main sources for Germany's processed liquid milk imports in kind. Czechia accounted for 25.7% of imports, Denmark for 18.9%, and Poland for 17.0%. Together, these three countries made up 61.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Germany's processed liquid milk imports increased in 2020, standing at 1 050 million US dollars, equivalent to a strong gain of 17.7% relative to the prior year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 892 million US dollars, with the largest decline in 2018 at 14.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Denmark, and Austria were the principal destinations for Germany's processed liquid milk imports in value terms. Czechia accounted for 23.7% of imports, Denmark for 20.0%, and Austria for 18.0%. Jointly, these three countries represented 61.7% of total import flows.

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

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