Netherlands: Butter Market 2024

Butter Market Size in the Netherlands

The Dutch butter market skyrocketed to $X in 2022, with an increase of 30% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a strong expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Butter Production in the Netherlands

In value terms, butter production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -12.0% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 39% against the previous year. Butter production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Butter Exports

Exports from the Netherlands

In 2022, overseas shipments of butter decreased by -8.3% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 19%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, butter exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 46%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main destinations of butter exports from the Netherlands, with a combined 76% share of total exports. Italy, Spain, the United States and Singapore lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 9.7%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +35.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for butter exported from the Netherlands were Germany ($X), France ($X) and Belgium ($X), together comprising 75% of total exports. The United States, Italy, Spain and Singapore lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 11%.

The United States, with a CAGR of +45.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average butter export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 36% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, butter export price increased by +54.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 50%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+7.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Butter Imports

Imports into the Netherlands

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of butter decreased by -2.5% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -0.7% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, butter imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 49%. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of butter to the Netherlands, with a 36% share of total imports. Moreover, butter imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Ireland (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Belgium (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Germany stood at +13.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ireland (+9.5% per year) and Belgium (+4.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest butter suppliers to the Netherlands were Germany ($X), Ireland ($X) and Belgium ($X), together comprising 65% of total imports. The UK, Denmark, Poland, France and New Zealand lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Denmark, with a CAGR of +32.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average butter import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 21% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 51%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were New Zealand ($X per ton) and Ireland ($X per ton), while the price for France ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by New Zealand (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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