EU: Whole Fresh Milk Market 2025

Whole Fresh Milk Market Size in the EU

The EU whole fresh milk market reached $X in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Whole Fresh Milk Production in the EU

In value terms, whole fresh milk production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 15%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and Poland (X tons), together comprising 46% of total production. The Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Romania, Austria, the Czech Republic and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 44%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of +5.0%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Whole Fresh Milk Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, whole fresh milk exports in the European Union declined to X tons, waning by -3.6% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, whole fresh milk exports totaled $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 17%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), Belgium (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented roughly 50% of total exports in 2022. France (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Austria (X tons), Latvia (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons). All these countries together took near 22% share of total exports. The following exporters - Slovenia (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Luxembourg (X tons), Denmark (X tons) and Estonia (X tons) - together made up 18% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +12.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and the Czech Republic ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 40% share of total exports. Poland, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Latvia, Denmark, Slovenia, Hungary, Luxembourg and Estonia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 49%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +13.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 15% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Austria ($X per ton) and Denmark ($X per ton), while Estonia ($X per ton) and Latvia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Latvia (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Whole Fresh Milk Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, overseas purchases of whole fresh milk increased by 6.7% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 7%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, whole fresh milk imports soared to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Imports by Country

Germany represented the key importer of whole fresh milk in the European Union, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. 34% of total imports in 2022. The Netherlands (X tons) held a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Italy (8.8%), Ireland (8.4%), Lithuania (7.7%) and Belgium (7.5%). Croatia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to whole fresh milk imports into Germany stood at +4.7%. At the same time, Croatia (+10.5%), Ireland (+8.1%), the Netherlands (+7.3%) and Lithuania (+3.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Croatia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +10.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Belgium (-4.0%) and Italy (-9.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Lithuania and Croatia increased by +12, +6.7, +4.5, +2.3 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported whole fresh milk in the European Union, comprising 33% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Germany stood at +7.5%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+7.9% per year) and Italy (-8.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 20% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 21%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Italy ($X per ton) and Croatia ($X per ton), while Lithuania ($X per ton) and Ireland ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lithuania (+3.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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