Eastern Europe: Lactose Market 2024

Lactose Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European lactose market was estimated at $X in 2022, surging by 4.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a perceptible descent. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lactose Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, lactose production expanded significantly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 18%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Lactose Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

Lactose exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2022, rising by 15% compared with 2021. Overall, exports saw a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 74% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lactose exports rose notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 117% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Poland represented the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which recorded 55% of total exports. Lithuania (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 23% share, followed by Slovakia (6.4%), Bulgaria (5.7%) and Latvia (5.6%).

Exports from Poland increased at an average annual rate of +45.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Slovakia (+105.5%), Bulgaria (+45.8%) and Latvia (+8.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovakia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +105.5% from 2012-2022. Lithuania experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Poland (+51 p.p.), Slovakia (+6.4 p.p.) and Bulgaria (+5.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Latvia and Lithuania saw its share reduced by -3.1% and -56% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Poland ($X) remains the largest lactose supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 54% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Lithuania ($X), with a 27% share of total exports. It was followed by Slovakia, with a 6.1% share.

In Poland, lactose exports expanded at an average annual rate of +43.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Lithuania (-2.1% per year) and Slovakia (+111.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. In general, the export price showed a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 47%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Lithuania ($X per ton), while Latvia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Latvia (+5.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Lactose Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, overseas purchases of lactose and lactose syrup were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 23%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, lactose imports expanded notably to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Russia (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented roughly 66% of total imports in 2022. Belarus (X tons) took an 8.4% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the Czech Republic (5.1%). The following importers - Hungary (X tons), Ukraine (X tons), Lithuania (X tons), Romania (X tons), Latvia (X tons), Estonia (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) - together made up 20% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Estonia (with a CAGR of +19.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($X), Russia ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 69% share of total imports. Belarus, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

Among the main importing countries, Estonia, with a CAGR of +15.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -3.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a slight downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 18%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Latvia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lithuania (+5.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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