Market research

Whey market in Germany

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the German whey market value increased from $569 million to $1 223 million. The initial growth was supported by the merger of DV Nutrition and Wheyco under the DMK Group, consolidating a major player, and rising demand for sports and personalized nutrition. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further boosted health awareness and protein supplement consumption. The surge from 2021 to 2022 was driven by the expansion of the whey protein isolate segment and global raw material shortages, which increased prices, alongside capacity expansion from Hilmar Cheese Company's new processing plant.

By 2024, the market value declined to $912 million. This drop was primarily due to global trade barriers and tariffs affecting whey product prices and availability, coupled with market adjustments to volatile raw material costs.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In value
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022, 2024
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022, 2024
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Germany
  1. 5.1.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K t
  2. 5.1.2. In value, 2018-2022, 2024, M $ US
2. 5.2. Production in the EU, 2018-2024
  1. 5.2.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K t
  2. 5.2.2. In value, 2018-2024, M $ US
3. 5.3. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.3.1. Global Production by Country in kind
    1. 5.3.1.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
    2. 5.3.1.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
    3. 5.3.1.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production whey in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's whey production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, whey output in Germany was valued at 923.7 million US dollars, marking a 6.5% gain compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 844.8 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 3.0% that year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.0%)	2.7%	6.5%	2.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany held the second position globally in whey production.

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Germany produced 4 336 thousand tonnes of whey, up by 17.7% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 26.0%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 47.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 13.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	26.0%	(0.8%)	17.7%	13.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports whey from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's whey exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 478.0 thousand tonnes of whey, showing a strong increase of 10.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 423.7 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 2.7% that year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.7%)	2.4%	10.2%	3.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Denmark made the biggest contributions to Germany's whey exports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 48.0% of exports, France for 6.9%, and Denmark for 5.7%, jointly representing 60.5% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Whey shipments from Germany abroad increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 525.9 million US dollars, up by 8.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 463.6 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 3.0% that year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 10%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.0%)	4.7%	8.3%	3.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, China, and France made the biggest contributions to Germany's whey exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 33.0% of exports, China for 9.6%, and France for 9.2%, jointly representing 51.7% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports whey to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, whey shipments to Germany from abroad amounted to 534.6 thousand tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 8.0% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 13.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 1.5%. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 18.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.1%)	1.5%	(8.0%)	(6.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Italy, and the Netherlands led the structure of Germany's whey imports in kind. Austria accounted for 44.8% of imports, Italy for 16.1%, and the Netherlands for 15.3%, together representing 76.2% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, imported whey volumes in Germany were recorded at 207.6 million US dollars, which is 1.7% lower than in 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 187.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 19.4% that year, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 12.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 3.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(19.4%)	12.3%	(1.7%)	(3.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Austria, the Netherlands, and France formed the core of Germany's whey imports in value terms. Austria accounted for 21.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 20.0%, and France for 15.8%, together taking 57.4% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io