Whey market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Dutch whey market expanded from 503.8 thousand tons to 591.2 thousand tons. This growth was fueled by increasing demand for sports nutrition and protein powders, particularly among younger consumers embracing gym culture and health awareness. An aging population and greater focus on preventive healthcare further supported market expansion, with producers serving food retail experiencing strong growth even before the full onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The market volume contracted to 570.0 thousand tons in 2020 and further to 500.0 thousand tons in 2021. Supply chain disruptions in Asia due to COVID-19, combined with a sharp global rise in raw material costs that pushed whey protein prices up by over 350% compared to two years prior, constrained production and imports while exports remained strong. These factors significantly reduced the volume available for domestic consumption.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2022, with market volume jumping to 712.4 thousand tons. This surge was supported by the launch of new whey protein concentrate products aimed at women, such as by Glanbia Nutritionals, and the construction of new processing facilities abroad that increased global whey availability. By 2023, however, the market volume fell back to 480.7 thousand tons, indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels after the temporary import-driven spike.

Production whey in the Netherlands

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year decline, whey production in the Netherlands rebounded. In 2020, output reached 308.7 million US dollars, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 48.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 27.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 208.1 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 9.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands maintained the 7th position globally in terms of whey production volume.

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Whey production in the Netherlands increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 302.3 thousand tonnes, representing a notable year-over-year rise of 13.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production surged by 86.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.1%.

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

Exports whey from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, the volume of whey exports from the Netherlands increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 245.0 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp gain of 26.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 12.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 194.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline also occurring in 2019, dropping by 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, China, and Belgium formed the main cluster of markets for whey exports in kind from the Netherlands. Germany accounted for 25.0% of exports, China for 18.2%, and Belgium for 14.3%, together representing 57.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, whey export volume from the Netherlands increased. In 2020, the Netherlands exported 294.1 million US dollars worth of whey, marking a gain of 23.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 13%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 238.8 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 6.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, whey exports from the Netherlands in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. China accounted for 20.3% of exports, Germany for 13.7%, and Belgium for 11.5%, jointly representing 45.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports whey to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

The volume of whey imports into the Netherlands declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the Netherlands imported 512.8 thousand tonnes, constituting a loss of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and France were the largest suppliers of whey to the Netherlands in kind. Germany accounted for 37.4% of imports, Italy for 14.5%, and France for 14.3%, together forming 66.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Whey imports into the Netherlands increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 437.1 million US dollars, up by 4.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 418.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline also occurring in 2018, dropping by 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Italy consistently remained the main sources for whey imports into the Netherlands in value terms. Germany accounted for 37.4% of imports, France for 15.3%, and Italy for 14.3%, together representing 67.0% of total import flows.

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

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