Whey market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The whey market in Northern Europe experienced fluctuating volumes between 2018 and 2023. Market size in physical terms grew from 552 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 638 thousand tons in 2020, before contracting to 575 thousand tons in 2021. It then recovered to 626 thousand tons in 2022, ending the period at 608 thousand tons in 2023.

In value terms, the market demonstrated stronger expansion, rising from $991 million in 2018 to $1 256 million in 2023. This growth included a notable increase in 2022, and market value held steady in 2023 even as volume dipped slightly, indicating a change in average product prices or mix.

Production whey in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Northern Europe's whey production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production stood at 785 thousand tonnes, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 10.1%, representing a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 789 thousand tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 9.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Europe's whey production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 306 million US dollars, representing a 12.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 41%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 924 million US dollars, which also saw the smallest decline of 0.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with growth of 26.0%.

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

Exports whey from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, whey exports from Northern Europe declined. In 2020, the region exported 306.5 thousand tonnes, representing a 10.6% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 342.9 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with growth of 5.5%.

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

The country composition of whey exports from Northern Europe was dispersed between 2017 and 2020. The Netherlands accounted for 13.4% of exports, Germany for 11.0%, and China for 9.8%, together forming just 34.1% of total flows. The remaining 65.9% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Whey export values from Northern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 510.3 million US dollars, representing a modest gain of 0.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values grew by 27%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 385.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with growth of 31.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Special Categories accounted for 23.6% of whey export value from Northern Europe, China for 15.3%, and the Netherlands for 14.4%. These three destinations together represented 53.3% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports whey to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Whey imports into Northern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 160.4 thousand tonnes, showing a slight rise of 0.6% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 13.3%, representing a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 96.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 32.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with growth of 66.2%.

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

The country composition of whey imports into Northern Europe was dispersed between 2017 and 2020. Germany accounted for 15.2% of imports, the Netherlands for 11.5%, and France for 5.1%, together forming just 31.8% of total flows. The remaining 68.2% was distributed among a wide range of other source countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern Europe's whey import value was recorded at 268.6 million US dollars, indicating a slight contraction of 0.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import values increased by 12.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 235.3 million US dollars, while the highest value occurred in 2019 at 270.8 million US dollars. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 1.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with growth of 15.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany accounted for 29.5% of whey import value into Northern Europe, the Netherlands for 20.1%, and France for 6.6%. These three suppliers together represented 56.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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