Whey market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, new EU food regulations and Czech Decree No. 58/2018 on food supplements established a revised framework for labeling and market access. This period also saw preparations for EVLS 2018 and the expansion of product ranges, including new protein isolates previously not imported into the Czech market. Growing interest in whey proteins as dietary supplements for athletes and active individuals, alongside broadening market offerings, drove the market volume upward, reaching 225.7 K t in 2019. Research into new processing technologies and heightened focus on the bioactive properties of whey proteins further sustained demand, with volume peaking at 226.8 K t in 2020.

The market volume declined to 211.2 K t in 2021, coinciding with the amendment to the Food and Tobacco Products Act (No. 174/2021) and discussions on front-of-pack nutritional labeling like NutriScore, which introduced regulatory uncertainty. A partial recovery to 215.0 K t occurred in 2022, supported by the launch of the innovative Hydro Whey protein by leading domestic company Nutrend, which strengthened its market position. However, macroeconomic pressures, including inflation affecting production costs and consumer behavior, were also noted.

Subsequent years were marked by further regulatory tightening. The amendment to Decree No. 58/2018 (Decree No. 368/2024), effective from July 2025, extended bans on certain substances in supplements and imposed stricter labeling submission rules to the Ministry of Agriculture. These ongoing legislative adjustments, emphasizing product safety and transparency, contributed to a contraction in market volume to 210.6 K t in 2023 and a further drop to 193.6 K t in 2024, despite continued development of new whey protein products and innovations in sports nutrition.

Production whey in Czechia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Czechia's whey output was valued at 53,379 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 8.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia ranked as one of the world's leading producers of whey, holding the 8th position by production volume.

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, whey production in Czechia saw an upturn. In 2020, production reached 221.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting a slight increase of 1.0% compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 219.5 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 1.4%.

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

Exports whey from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Czechia's whey exports totaled 47,030 tonnes, showing a gradual year-on-year improvement of 5.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 47,401 tonnes. The largest decline happened in 2019 with a decrease of 6.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Malaysia, and Thailand were the core markets for Czechia's whey exports in volume terms, accounting for 36.1%, 17.5%, and 8.3% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 62.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Czechia's whey exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 38,743 thousand US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.7%, equivalent to an average annual growth of 0.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 39,307 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 1.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 4.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Malaysia, Germany, and Thailand were the primary buyers of Czechia's whey in value terms, contributing 23.5%, 18.9%, and 10.7% of exports, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 53.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports whey to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Czechia's whey imports in volume terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 52,205 tonnes, reflecting a 3.1% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 49%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 14.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany played leading roles in Czechia's whey imports in volume terms, with shares of 27.0%, 25.5%, and 20.2%, respectively. Together, they made up 72.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Czechia's whey imports in value terms amounted to 15,064 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 30.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 33.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a decrease of 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary formed the core of Czechia's whey imports in value terms, accounting for 32.3%, 19.3%, and 13.2% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 64.7% of total import flows.

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

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