Whey market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the whey market in Eastern Europe grew from 1 342 thousand tons to 1 501 thousand tons. This expansion was primarily fueled by rising production of whey proteins, driven by new market entrants and investments in modernization to meet increasing demand for sports and infant nutrition. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated consumption as consumers sought high-protein products, despite some supply chain pressures.

From 2021 onward, market volume contracted, reaching 1 105 thousand tons by 2023. Sanctions introduced in 2022 created significant obstacles, including difficulties in sourcing modern equipment and disruptions to supply chains, which constrained production. At the same time, the market for plant-based dairy alternatives grew by 30% in Russia and CIS, diverting part of consumer demand away from traditional whey. Although state support programs and the launch of new production lines, such as the instant whey protein concentrate by GC Molvest in 2024, aimed to stimulate the industry, they could not fully counter the overall decline in consumption.

Production whey in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Whey production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1,778 thousand tons of whey, marking an 11.4% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1,562 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Whey production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has increased for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 1,675 million US dollars, representing a 2.6% increase from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 11.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,462 million US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 22.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 11.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports whey from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Whey exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 414.7 thousand tons, showing a strong increase of 12.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 22.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, whey exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were distributed across multiple markets rather than concentrated in a few key destinations. China accounted for 20.3% of exports in volume, Germany for 11.2%, and the Netherlands for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 42.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Whey exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports stood at 390.6 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate year-over-year increase of 3.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 2.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 340.5 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 10.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 10.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, whey exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were supplied to a diverse range of markets. China accounted for 18.3% of export value, the Netherlands for 16.2%, and Germany for 6.1%. Combined, these three markets represented only 40.6% of total export value, while many smaller destinations made up the remaining 59.4%.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports whey to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, whey imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached 137.4 thousand tons, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 2.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 26.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 144.4 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 32.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 7.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, whey imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were spread across many countries. Lithuania accounted for 16.2% of import volume, Germany for 10.2%, and Austria for 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 30.1% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, whey imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 127.2 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 109.0 million US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 22.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 18.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for whey imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Germany accounted for 14.0% of import value, the Netherlands for 7.7%, and Argentina for 7.2%. Combined, these three countries represented only 28.9% of total import value, while many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020