Whey market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The market size for whey in Finland, measured in US dollar terms, showed significant variability from 2018 to 2024. After an initial decline to USD 5.3 million in 2019, the market recovered and grew steadily over the next three years, peaking at USD 7.6 million in 2022. A modest contraction followed in 2023, bringing the market value to USD 7.0 million.

In 2024, the market expanded sharply by nearly 30% to reach USD 9.1 million. This surge was primarily driven by two key developments: the launch of innovative hydrolyzed whey protein isolates like Clear Whey, which attracted new consumer segments with their improved digestibility, and persistently high European prices for whey protein concentrate (WPC 80), which elevated the overall value of the market due to tight supply and robust demand from functional food manufacturers.

Production whey in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, whey production in Finland rebounded in 2020. The output was valued at 38 565 K $ US, representing a significant increase of 11.5% compared to the previous year. The lowest value during this period was recorded in 2019 at 34 579 K $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 6.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

On a global scale, Finland ranked as the 26th largest producer of whey between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

In 2020, Finland produced 24 711 tons of whey, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 1.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.3%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 24 344 tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 26 855 tons. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports whey from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Whey exports from Finland declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 23 575 tons. This represented a moderate decrease of 5.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 25 407 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 3.5% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, South Korea, and the Netherlands were the primary destinations for Finland's whey exports by volume. China accounted for 54.2% of exports, South Korea for 6.6%, and the Netherlands for 5.5%. Together, these three countries represented 66.3% of Finland's total whey exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of reduction, whey exports from Finland increased in 2020, totaling 35 379 K $ US. This marked a strong advance of 14.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 30 931 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, South Korea, and the Netherlands were the largest buyers of Finnish whey by value. China accounted for 55.1% of export value, South Korea for 7.0%, and the Netherlands for 6.1%. Collectively, these three markets represented 68.2% of Finland's total whey export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports whey to Finland

Imports in kind, t

Import data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, whey imports to Finland amounted to 507 tons, down by 55.3% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 132 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 273.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Switzerland, and China were the leading sources of whey imports to Finland by volume. Sweden accounted for 55.6% of imports, Switzerland for 17.9%, and China for 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented 86.2% of Finland's total whey imports during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, whey imports to Finland totaled 2 593 K $ US, representing a substantial increase of 58.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 37.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 634 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 30.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden, Switzerland, and China were the main sources of whey imports to Finland by value. Sweden accounted for 63.5% of import value, Switzerland for 16.4%, and China for 5.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 85.8% of Finland's total whey import value during this timeframe.

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

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