Yoghurt market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the German yoghurt market volume fluctuated moderately, staying within a band of 507 000 to 524 000 tonnes. The rise in 2020 to 522 000 tonnes was supported by a clear consumer shift towards plant-based and dairy-free yoghurts, which broadened the available product assortment and stimulated additional demand. This trend towards alternative yoghurts continued into 2021, helping to maintain market volume at a stable level of around 524 000 tonnes.

Reported market volume jumped to 832 000 tonnes in 2022 and reached 853 000 tonnes in 2023. This strong expansion coincided with sustained demand for vegan and plant-based varieties, as well as ongoing product innovation aimed at reducing sugar content through natural sweeteners like stevia and fruit-juice concentrates. Health-conscious trends, including clean-label preferences and the popularity of premium segments such as Greek yoghurt and Skyr, further shaped consumption patterns throughout the period.

The market remained concentrated among large established players, with no significant new entrants or major production facility changes reported. Regulatory and labeling frameworks for yoghurt in Germany stayed largely unchanged, allowing consumer preferences to be the primary driver of market evolution.

Production yoghurt in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany was the world's leading producer of yoghurt from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of yoghurt, 2017-2020

World map of production of yoghurt, 2017-2020

Germany's yoghurt production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 886 thousand tonnes of yoghurt, a 2.0% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's yoghurt output was valued at 1 267 million US dollars, showing a moderate 4.6% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 12.5%.

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

Exports yoghurt from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's yoghurt exports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 469.2 thousand tonnes of yoghurt, a slight 1.9% increase over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's yoghurt exports in volume were relatively evenly distributed. Italy accounted for 19.3% of exports, the Netherlands for 16.8%, and the United Kingdom for 12.1%, together making up 48.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's yoghurt exports in value terms increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 670.8 million US dollars, up 4.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 16.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's yoghurt exports in value were spread across multiple countries. Italy represented 18.0% of exports, the Netherlands 15.5%, and the United Kingdom 12.6%, together accounting for 46.1% of total flows, with no single partner dominating.

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

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

Imports yoghurt to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's yoghurt imports in volume increased in 2020 after two years of decline. Import volume reached 104.9 thousand tonnes, a 7.0% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 98.0 thousand tonnes, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium was the top source for Germany's yoghurt imports in volume, accounting for 37.4%, followed by Austria at 29.5% and Luxembourg at 10.5%. Together, these three countries made up 77.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's yoghurt imports were valued at 145.6 million US dollars, a modest 6.5% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 136.7 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 148.5 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg were the main sources for Germany's yoghurt imports in value terms. Austria accounted for 29.3%, Belgium for 28.0%, and Luxembourg for 11.1%, together representing 68.3% of total import flows.

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

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