Benelux: Market for Butter And Dairy Spreads 2025

Market Size for Butter And Dairy Spreads in Benelux

In 2022, the Benelux butter and dairy spreads market increased by 249% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a slight contraction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Butter And Dairy Spreads in Benelux

In value terms, butter and dairy spreads production fell modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 33%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The Netherlands (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of butter and dairy spreads production, comprising approx. 77% of total volume. Moreover, butter and dairy spreads production in the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Belgium (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in the Netherlands was relatively modest.

Exports of Butter And Dairy Spreads

Exports in Benelux

In 2022, overseas shipments of butter and dairy spreads decreased by -9.7% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, butter and dairy spreads exports soared to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +49.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) represented the major exporter of butter and dairy spreads, constituting 68% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), generating a 32% share of total exports.

The Netherlands was also the fastest-growing in terms of the butter and dairy spreads exports, with a CAGR of +3.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Belgium (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. The Netherlands (+2.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Belgium saw its share reduced by -1.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the largest butter and dairy spreads supplying countries in Benelux were the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X).

Among the main exporting countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +8.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Benelux stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 37% against the previous year. Export price indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, butter and dairy spreads export price increased by +55.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 53%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the Netherlands amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+5.1%).

Imports of Butter And Dairy Spreads

Imports in Benelux

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of butter and dairy spreads decreased by -7.1% to X tons in 2022. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, butter and dairy spreads imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 55%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands represented the largest importer of butter and dairy spreads in Benelux, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. 65% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Belgium (X tons), generating a 34% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +6.6%).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022.

Among the main importing countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +9.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Benelux amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 30% against the previous year. Import price indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, butter and dairy spreads import price increased by +46.7% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 55%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the Netherlands totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+5.2%).

Source: IndexBox Platform