Processed liquid milk market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Spanish processed liquid milk market volume expanded from 3.6 million tons to 3.8 million tons in 2019, before edging down slightly to 3.79 million tons in 2020.

From 2021, rising energy and raw material costs, exacerbated by the Ukraine war and adverse weather conditions in Europe, led to a drop in milk production. This supply tightness, combined with inflationary pressures, pushed milk prices upward, with liquid milk prices rising by over 17% in 2023 compared to 2022.

These higher prices contributed to a shift in consumer behavior, with household consumption of liquid milk declining by 2.8% in volume in 2023. Market share increasingly moved towards retailer own-brands, which reached nearly 60% of the classic liquid milk segment, squeezing manufacturer brands. By 2024, milk deliveries showed some recovery, but the sector remained in an adjustment phase marked by ongoing competitiveness challenges.

Production processed liquid milk in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Spain's processed liquid milk production value declined. In 2020, output was valued at 2 507 million US dollars, showing no significant change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 10.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 508 million US dollars. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 5.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following two years of growth, Spain's processed liquid milk production volume decreased. In 2020, production stood at 3 783 thousand tonnes, remaining stable compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 800 thousand tonnes. The largest year-on-year increase was observed in 2019, with a growth of 5.8%.

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

Exports processed liquid milk from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain's processed liquid milk exports reached 107.5 thousand tonnes, marking an 11.9% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 29.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.8%. The most significant increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Spain's processed liquid milk exports in volume terms were Portugal, accounting for 29.9% of exports, Libya with 13.1%, and Italy at 13.0%. Together, these three countries represented 56.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Spain exported processed liquid milk worth 84 323 thousand US dollars, a 15.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 5.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 73 152 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Portugal was the largest destination for Spain's processed liquid milk exports in value terms, accounting for 21.7% of total exports. Italy followed with 16.2%, and France with 16.1%. Combined, these three countries made up 54.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports processed liquid milk to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's processed liquid milk import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 114.5 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 4.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 30.7%, with an average annual decline of 11.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Portugal were the dominant suppliers of processed liquid milk to Spain in volume terms, together accounting for 88.5% of total imports. Other destinations each contributed relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Spain's processed liquid milk import value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 66 242 thousand US dollars, down 6.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 22.9%, with an average annual decline of 8.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France and Portugal dominated Spain's processed liquid milk imports in value terms, together accounting for 81.6% of total flows. Other destinations had smaller individual contributions.

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

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