Skim milk market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The skim milk market in Germany saw a clear downward trend in physical volume between 2018 and 2024, falling from 2 149 thousand tons to 1 608 thousand tons. This decline was interrupted only by a brief rebound in 2020. In contrast, the market's value rose steadily from $331.5 million to a high of $617.5 million in 2022, driven by increasing milk prices, before falling back to $433.4 million by 2024.

The market contraction accelerated in 2023 and 2024. During this period, consumer preferences in the broader dairy sector shifted notably toward pasture-based 'Weidemilch,' which gained over an 11% share in the drinking milk segment, and toward organic milk products, while total drinking milk consumption stagnated. This movement of demand away from conventional skim milk contributed to the volume decline. Furthermore, the structural consolidation of dairy farms, with smaller operations exiting and larger ones growing, coincided with these market changes.

Production skim milk in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's skim milk production value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 562.0 million US dollars, marking a significant 17.1% improvement compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 65%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 2 334 thousand tonnes of skim milk, which is 4.1% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 35.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 406 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 6.9% drop. The most substantial increase was in 2018, when production rose by 40.1%.

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

Exports skim milk from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's skim milk exports declined in 2020. The country exported 347.6 thousand tonnes, representing a moderate 9.5% decrease compared to the previous year. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 384.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, China, and the Netherlands were the core markets for Germany's skim milk exports in volume terms. Italy accounted for 48.8% of exports, China for 18.2%, and the Netherlands for 12.5%. Together, these three countries represented 79.5% 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

Germany's skim milk export value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 139.8 million US dollars, showing a 13.0% advance compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 37.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Italy, and Austria were the main destinations for Germany's skim milk exports in value terms. China accounted for 34.4% of exports, Italy for 30.7%, and Austria for 10.8%. Collectively, these three markets absorbed 75.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports skim milk to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's skim milk imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 123.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting a modest 4.2% gain compared to 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.2%, with an average annual decline of 4.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 106.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 24.3%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with imports rising by 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Austria, and the Netherlands were the principal sources of skim milk imports to Germany in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 78.9% of total imports.

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

Germany's skim milk import value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 38.2 million US dollars, representing a 4.5% rise from 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.4%, with an annualized decline of 2.2%. The lowest import value was in 2018 at 31.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 22.3%. The most substantial increase was in 2019, with a 15.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Austria, and the Netherlands made the biggest contribution to Germany's skim milk imports in value terms. France accounted for 58.6% of imports, Austria for 14.0%, and the Netherlands for 9.4%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for 81.9% 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