Yoghurt market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, flavored yogurt production in Western Europe rose from 1 596 to 1 659 thousand tonnes, and market volume grew by 16.3% to 1 275 thousand tonnes. This expansion was primarily driven by increasing consumer demand for a wider variety of flavors, including fruit and exotic options, and the successful introduction of low-sugar and low-fat variants that catered to the growing health and wellness trend. Product innovations, such as the launch of Greek, Icelandic, and skyr-style yogurts, further broadened the available assortment and stimulated consumption.

Market volume then contracted over 2020 and 2021, falling to 1 060 thousand tonnes, while production remained stable near 1 680 thousand tonnes. During this period, industry investment continued, highlighted by Fage International's announcement of a new production facility in the Netherlands to increase future capacity. The market recovered strongly from 2022 onward, with production reaching 1 734 thousand tonnes in 2023. This rebound was supported by the rapid growth of plant-based yogurt alternatives and the launch of innovative products like low-sugar frozen yogurt and lines with mix-ins, which catered to evolving snacking habits and sustained demand for healthier options.

Production yoghurt in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of yoghurt, 2017-2020

World map of production of yoghurt, 2017-2020

Yoghurt production in Western Europe has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 1 680 K t, marking a 1.3% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of yoghurt output in Western Europe was 3 159 M $ US, representing a 12.5% increase over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 15.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production value fell by 6.3%.

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

Exports yoghurt from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, yoghurt export volumes from Western Europe totaled 646.5 K t, reflecting a 5.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 2.9%, with an average annual decrease of 1.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 684.9 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 4.4% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated yoghurt exports from Western Europe. Italy accounted for 15.8% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 12.6%, and Spain for 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented 39.6% of total exports in kind, while numerous smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, yoghurt export value from Western Europe amounted to 1 216 M $ US, showing a 4.8% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 3.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 159 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.9%. In contrast, the highest value occurred in 2018 at 1 232 M $ US, with the largest increase of 5.2% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for yoghurt exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Italy and the United Kingdom each accounted for 13.4% of exports in value terms, while Spain represented 11.1%. Together, these three countries made up 37.9% of total flows, with many other countries contributing the remaining 62.1%.

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

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

Imports yoghurt to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and then dropped to their lowest point in 2020, resulting in a 3.5-fold shift. In 2020, yoghurt import volume in Western Europe was 85.5 K t, representing a sharp decline of 71.5% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 300.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 92.5% that year.

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

During 2017 to 2020, yoghurt imports in kind to Western Europe were distributed across a large number of markets. Spain accounted for 4.1% of imports in kind, Greece for 3.6%, and Poland for 1.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 9.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe imported yoghurt worth 630 M $ US, equivalent to a moderate increase of 9.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 12%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 3.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when import value fell by 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, yoghurt imports in value terms to Western Europe were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Greece accounted for 5.6% of imports in value terms, Spain for 4.4%, and Poland for 1.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 11.8% of total flows.

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

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