Yoghurt market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume of sweetened and flavoured yoghurt in CIS expanded sharply from 804 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1.14 million tonnes in 2019. This surge was driven by the entry of new players and a continuous broadening of the product range with various fruit, berry, and natural flavour additions. Large producers, including state-owned companies, actively increased output, while currency fluctuations and trade sanctions affected import and export flows.

During the 2020-2021 period, the market stabilized around 1.14-1.12 million tonnes. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer focus toward health, boosting demand for plain yoghurt and products with natural tastes. Concurrently, protein-rich, low-sugar varieties and yoghurts with functional additives for digestion and immunity emerged as new segments, though these trends did not significantly alter the total market size.

Sanctions and restrictions on imported ingredients and packaging materials led to a contraction in 2022, with the market falling to 1.01 million tonnes. By 2023, producers adapted by emphasizing functional additives for immunity and gut health, and responded to the global cocoa shortage by promoting yoghurt without cocoa or chocolate additions. These shifts helped the market recover to 1.07 million tonnes.

Production yoghurt in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of yoghurt, 2017-2020

World map of production of yoghurt, 2017-2020

Yoghurt production in the CIS has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 146.7 thousand tonnes of yoghurt, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 1.7%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 40.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 12.0%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 798.0 thousand tonnes, when output fell by 2.3%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a significant jump of 41.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Yoghurt production in the CIS has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of yoghurt output reached 3 174 million US dollars, up by 15.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 28.2%, averaging an 8.6% annual increase. The lowest value was recorded in 2018, at 2 226 million US dollars, when it declined by 10.1%. The highest growth was seen in 2019, with a 23.6% rise.

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

Exports yoghurt from CIS

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, yoghurt exports from the CIS declined in 2020. The region exported 24 013 tonnes of yoghurt that year, a decrease of 4.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, exports increased by 67.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.7%. The peak was in 2019, with 25 002 tonnes exported, which represented the largest increase of 39.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Mongolia, and Georgia were the leading destinations for yoghurt exports from the CIS in volume terms. Ukraine accounted for 4.5% of exports, Mongolia for 3.1%, and Georgia for 1.6%. Together, these three countries made up 9.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Yoghurt exports from the CIS have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 66 459 thousand US dollars, showing a 9.0% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 52.6%, equating to an average annual rate of 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Mongolia, and Afghanistan were the largest buyers of yoghurt from the CIS in value terms. Ukraine represented 6.0% of exports, Mongolia 3.6%, and Afghanistan 1.8%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 11.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports yoghurt to CIS

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, yoghurt imports into the CIS amounted to 20 444 tonnes, a sharp contraction of 40.2% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was in 2019, at 34 201 tonnes, following the largest increase of 119.2% in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Romania, Ukraine, and Germany were the main sources for yoghurt imports into the CIS in volume terms. Romania accounted for 4.4% of imports, Ukraine for 1.9%, and Germany for 0.6%. Together, these three countries represented 6.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Yoghurt imports into the CIS have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value totalled 73 148 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual rise of 6.5% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 58.4%, averaging a 16.6% annual increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of yoghurt into the CIS in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Romania accounted for 6.2% of imports, Ukraine for 1.2%, and Germany for 1.1%. Together, these three countries made up only 8.5% of total import flows.

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

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