Whey market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian whey market volume declined from 198 thousand tons in 2018 to 182 thousand tons by 2020. During this period, the launch of innovative products like Wheyhey Protein Ice, supported by a growing consumer focus on health and WHO sugar reduction guidelines, helped sustain underlying demand. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further influenced consumption patterns, boosting demand for longer-lasting dairy products and accelerating the shift to online food retail, which contributed to market stabilization.

Market volume rebounded sharply to 235 thousand tons in 2021, driven by evolving consumer trends such as vegetarianism and demand for functional foods and supplements, alongside continued regulatory emphasis on sugar reduction. This growth was interrupted in 2022 and 2023 as volumes fell to 200 thousand tons, primarily due to rising whey protein prices caused by increased raw material costs, tariffs, and trade barriers, which dampened affordability and consumption.

In 2024, the market recovered to 209 thousand tons despite persistent high prices. This recovery was supported by growing consumer preferences for sustainability and environmental consciousness, the use of advanced algorithms and AI for personalized marketing, and the long-term potential of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement to influence raw material imports. Additionally, Austria's domestic protein strategy aimed at expanding local soybean production could indirectly bolster the supply base for whey products.

Production whey in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, Austria's whey output reached its lowest value at 121.0 million US dollars. The following year, in 2020, production increased by 6.3% to 128.7 million US dollars. The peak was recorded earlier, in 2018, at 135.1 million US dollars, with the most significant decline occurring in 2019 at 10.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Austria ranked sixth globally in whey production.

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

In 2020, Austria produced 229.1 thousand tonnes of whey, showing little change from the previous year. The highest production level was in 2018 at 242.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 7.7% that year. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 6.0%.

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

Exports whey from Austria

Exports in kind, K t

Austria's whey exports continued to decline for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 98.1 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 3.4% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 18.1%, averaging an annual decline of 6.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany consistently represented 75.6% of Austria's total whey exports by volume, highlighting a strong reliance on this market, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

In 2019, Austria's whey export value hit its lowest point at 105.5 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 10.8%. The following year, in 2020, exports rose by 5.1% to 110.9 million US dollars. The peak was in 2018 at 118.3 million US dollars, which saw the highest increase of 11.8%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Australia, and China were the top destinations for Austria's whey exports by value, accounting for 40.3%, 13.8%, and 11.6% respectively. Together, these three countries made up 65.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports whey to Austria

Imports in kind, K t

Austria's whey imports fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 51.2 thousand tonnes, down 8.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24.1%, with an average annual decline of 8.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy were the main suppliers of whey to Austria by volume, representing 57.3%, 19.1%, and 11.7% of imports respectively. Combined, they accounted for 88.0% of total import volume.

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 2019, Austria's whey import value reached its minimum at 40.9 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 8.8%. The following year, in 2020, imports increased by 7.0% to 43.8 million US dollars. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 44.9 million US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy were the key partners for Austria's whey imports by value, contributing 59.6%, 12.6%, and 10.1% respectively. Together, these three countries represented 82.2% of total import value.

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

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