Yoghurt market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The yogurt market in Eastern Europe saw a substantial increase in volume from 1.48 million tons in 2018 to 1.89 million tons in 2019. This expansion was supported by ongoing government procurement programs, which provided steady demand, and by improved packaging availability following significant growth in domestic polyethylene production in prior years.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted consumer preferences toward products perceived to boost immunity, sustaining market volume near 1.90 million tons as demand rose for yogurts with probiotics, prebiotics, and other functional additives. This health-oriented trend continued into 2021, supporting consumption levels while influencing product mix and value.

From 2022, evolving consumer preferences for plain yogurt, multi-textured varieties, and high-protein options reflected a broader focus on health and fitness. These shifts contributed to a market recovery in volume to 1.83 million tons by 2023, with the segment of high-protein yogurts experiencing notable growth and influencing overall market dynamics.

Production yoghurt in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of yoghurt, 2017-2020

World map of production of yoghurt, 2017-2020

Yoghurt production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 899 K t of yoghurt, a modest increase of 2.4% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 24%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.4%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 498 K t, when output fell by 2.2%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production jumping by 23.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, yoghurt production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) experienced a decline in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 037 M $ US, down 15.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value increased by 45.6%, averaging 13.3% per year. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 4 787 M $ US, when production surged by 53.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports yoghurt from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, yoghurt exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 110.5 K t, a significant increase of 14.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall exports decreased by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 96.9 K t, which marked a sharp decline of 23.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated yoghurt exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Spain accounted for 15.3% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 3.6%, and Greece for 3.4%. Together, these three countries represented just 22.3% of total exports, with many smaller partners holding modest individual shares.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Yoghurt export values from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 235.0 M $ US, down 6.1% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 263.1 M $ US, when exports increased by 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of yoghurt from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms were Spain (14.7% of exports), the United Kingdom (5.2%), and Italy (3.8%). However, their combined share was only 23.7% of total exports, indicating a diversified export structure with no dominant market.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports yoghurt to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, yoghurt imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined in volume. In 2020, the region imported 116.0 K t of yoghurt, an 11.6% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 13.3%, averaging 4.3% per year. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 131.2 K t, when imports rose by 21.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The import structure for yoghurt in kind from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Germany accounted for 22.4% of imports, Austria for 6.0%, and Belgium for 1.8%. Together, these three countries made up only 30.2% of total imports, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Yoghurt imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 235.0 M $ US, up 6.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 25%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, yoghurt imports in value terms to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were relatively evenly distributed. Germany represented 25.1% of imports, Austria 5.8%, and Belgium 1.8%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 32.7% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020