Whey market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss whey market volume grew substantially from 19 875 t in 2018 to 51 387 t in 2023. This expansion was initially fueled by the founding of startups like Wheycation, which specialized in utilizing local Swiss whey, and by increasing consumer popularity of whey protein among athletes and health-conscious individuals. The launch of ready-to-drink fermented whey products by Wheycation in 2019 further stimulated demand.

Market growth accelerated in 2020 as established brands such as Lee-Sport® and PowerFood emphasized Swiss origin and quality, while the entry of German supplier ESN intensified competition. In 2021, Wheycation's introduction of three flavors of whey protein powder, focused on sustainability and upcycling, aligned with a strengthening consumer trend toward natural ingredients and local production. However, the market contracted in 2022 following the exit of the German provider foodspring® from Switzerland, which temporarily affected availability, even as whey isolate products gained prominence.

The most dramatic increase occurred in 2023, when the market volume surged to 51 387 t, marking a 58% rise from the previous year and underscoring the long-term growth trajectory driven by domestic innovation and shifting consumer preferences.

Production whey in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland ranked 17th globally in whey production.

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Switzerland's whey production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 78 K t of whey, marking a significant 29.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall decreased by 5.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 58 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 29.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Switzerland's whey production value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, whey output was valued at 31 613 K $ US, showing a substantial 24.7% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 27.6%, translating to an annualized rate of 8.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 21 607 K $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 12.8%.

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

Exports whey from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Switzerland's whey exports rebounded. In 2020, the country exported 45 629 t of whey, representing an 11.8% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 38%, with an average annual decline of 14.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 40 823 t, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 35.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Germany were the dominant partners in Switzerland's whey exports by volume, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, Switzerland's whey export value increased. In 2020, export value reached 18 536 K $ US, up 7.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 16.7%, with an average annual decline of 5.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 17 253 K $ US, and the largest decline was in 2018 at 21.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France (43.7% of export value), Austria (25.7%), and Germany (8.4%) were the main buyers of Swiss whey, together accounting for 77.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports whey to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

Switzerland's whey import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 7 376 t, showing little change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 9 058 t, which saw the largest increase of 12.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (43.7% of import volume), the United States (34.8%), and the Netherlands (14.0%) were the leading sources for Switzerland's whey imports, together making up 92.5% of total volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's whey import value fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value was 28 793 K $ US, down slightly by 1.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 42 104 K $ US, which experienced the largest increase of 27.7%. The largest drop was in 2019 at 30.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States (38.0% of import value), France (32.8%), and the Netherlands (20.8%) were the primary suppliers of whey to Switzerland, jointly representing 91.6% of total import value.

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

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