EU-27: Dairy sector
This page contains data with regard to some key indicators on the dairy sector over time.
The purpose of this table is twofold:
- on the one hand, it highlights the complexity of the sector, where it is important the connection among many different elements: raw milk area, dairy productions, import, export, domestic consumption and self-sufficiency level,
- on the other hand, it underlines the vibrancy of a market crossed by many trade routes of both semi-finished and finished products (from packaged milk to cheese and milk powders).
The orange links allow a further analysis on TESEO.
EU-27: DAIRY SECTOR | |||||||||
x 1.000 ton | |||||||||
RAW MATERIAL AREA | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2025 | % | Period | |
Cow's Milk | |||||||||
Dairy Farm Structure | |||||||||
Live bovine animals ('000 Head) | 75.705 | 74.808 | 73.761 | 71.869 | |||||
of which | |||||||||
Cows ('000 Head) | 20.213 | 20.074 | 19.912 | 19.219 | |||||
Slaughtered cows ('000 head) | 6.513 | 6.404 | 6.201 | 6.329 | 1.608 | 1.528 | -5,0% | Jan-Mar 2025 | |
Export of Breeding Heifers (HS 01022110 - head) | 191.613 | 149.812 | 192.600 | 160.068 | 56.220 | 22.641 | -59,7% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
Import of Breeding Heifers (HS 01022110 - head) | 98 | 272 | 57 | 261 | 228 | 29 | -87,3% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
Milk production | 153.994 | 154.244 | 155.420 | ||||||
± % Over the same period of the previous year | +0,2% | +0,8% | |||||||
Raw cows' milk delivered to dairies (Cod. Eurostat D1110D) | 144.565 | 144.649 | 144.730 | 145.367 | 49.157 | 48.668(e) | -1,0% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
± % Over the same period of the previous year | +0,1% | +0,1% | +0,4% | ||||||
% Delivery on production *** | 93,9% | 93,8% | 93,1% | ||||||
% Protein | 3,43% | 3,42% | 3,44% | 3,45% | 0,00% | 3,49% | Jan-Dec 2025 | ||
% Fat | 4,10% | 4,09% | 4,11% | 4,13% | 0,00% | 4,23% | Jan-Dec 2025 | ||
Farm-gate milk price (€ per 100 Kg) | 36,81 | 50,21 | 46,98 | 48,41 | 46,27 | 53,36(e) | +15,3% | Jan-May 2025 | |
± % Over the same period of the previous year | +36,4% | -6,4% | +3,1% | ||||||
Corn price (Bordeaux) (€\Ton) | 229 | 313 | 232 | 193 | 186 | 195 | +4,6% | Jan-Jun 2025 | |
National Soybean price (Bologna) (€\Ton) | 588 | 632 | 485 | 457 | 468 | 423 | -9,7% | Jan-Jun 2025 | |
Buffalo's - Goat's - Sheep's Milk | |||||||||
Buffaloes ('000)** | 476 | 480 | 481 | 500 | |||||
Buffalo's Milk Production (Cod.Eurostat D1140A)** | 292(e) | 289(e) | 295(e) | - | |||||
Buffalo's Milk Delivered to dairies (Cod.Eurostat D1140D)** | 239(e) | 239(e) | 237(e) | - | |||||
Goats ('000)** | 11.529 | 11.309 | 10.576 | 10.256 | |||||
Goat's Milk Production (Cod.Eurostat D1130A)** | 2.482(e) | 2.490(e) | 2.452(e) | - | |||||
Goat's Milk Delivered to dairies (Cod.Eurostat D1130D)** | 1.812(e) | 1.791(e) | 1.761(e) | - | |||||
Sheeps ('000)** | 59.265 | 59.159 | 57.208 | 55.285 | |||||
Sheep's Milk Production (Cod.Eurostat D1120A)** | 2.980(e) | 2.931(e) | 2.937(e) | - | |||||
Sheep's Milk Delivered to dairies (Cod.Eurostat D1120D)** | 2.124(e) | 2.216(e) | 2.237(e) | - | |||||
DAIRY PRODUCTION | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2025 | % | Period | |
Drinking milk (Cod. Eurostat D2100) | 22.840 | 22.676 | 22.215 | 22.445 | 7.715 | 7.598(e) | -1,5% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
Cream for direct consumption (Cod. Eurostat D2200V) | 2.530 | 2.525 | 2.567 | 2.658 | 899 | 885(e) | -1,6% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
Raw cream delivered to dairies (Cod. Eurostat D1200D)** | 143 | 138 | 140 | - | |||||
Acidified milk (yoghurts and other) (Cod. Eurostat D4100) | 7.571 | 7.548 | 7.685 | 7.984 | |||||
Butter (Cod. Eurostat D6000) | 2.075 | 2.073 | 2.111 | 2.088 | |||||
Rendered butter and butteroil (Cod.Eurostat D6200)** | 105 | 112 | 98 | - | |||||
Other Yellow Fat Dairy Products (Cod. Eurostat D6900)** | 182 | 211 | 175 | - | |||||
Total Cheese (Cod. Eurostat D7100) | 10.328 | 10.334 | 10.421 | - | |||||
I° Classificazione | |||||||||
- Soft cheese ( Cod. Eurostat D7111)** | 1.403 | 1.474 | 1.478 | - | |||||
- Medium soft cheese ( Cod. Eurostat D7112)** | 682 | 650 | 644 | - | |||||
- Medium hard cheese ( Cod. Eurostat D7113)** | 1.906 | 1.884 | 2.884 | - | |||||
- Hard cheese ( Cod. Eurostat D7114)** | 1.702 | 1.681 | 1.605 | - | |||||
- Extra hard cheese ( Cod. Eurostat D7115)** | 45 | 32 | 42 | - | |||||
- Fresh cheese ( Cod. Eurostat D7116)** | 3.637 | 3.644 | 3.696 | - | |||||
2° Classificazione | |||||||||
- Cheese from cows'milk (pure) ( Cod. Eurostat D7121)** | 9.444 | 9.492 | 9.618 | - | |||||
- Cheese from ewes milk (pure) ( Cod. Eurostat D7122)** | 234 | 233 | 227 | - | |||||
- Cheese from goats milk (pure) ( Cod. Eurostat D7123)** | 200 | 194 | 195 | - | |||||
- Others (cheese from buffalos'milk (pure) or mixed cheese) ( Cod. Eurostat D7129)** | 525 | 494 | 505 | - | |||||
Cheese from cows' milk (Cod. Eurostat D7121) | 9.504 | 9.478 | 9.637 | 9.883 | |||||
Processed Cheese (Cod. Eurostat D7200)** | 604 | 588 | 575 | - | |||||
Concentrated milk (Cod. Eurostat D3200) | 993 | 894 | 959 | 1.017 | |||||
WMP - Milk and cream powders (excl. SMP) (Cod. Eurostat D3100_X_3113) | 751 | 715 | 701 | 690 | |||||
Partly Skimmed Milk Powder (Cod. Eurostat D3112)** | 52 | 58 | 62 | - | |||||
SMP - Skimmed milk powder (SMP) (Cod. Eurostat D3113) | 1.292 | 1.307 | 1.238 | 1.247 | |||||
Buttermilk Powder (Cod. Eurostat D3130)** | 51 | 51 | 47 | - | |||||
Drinks with a milk base (Cod. Eurostat D9100)** | 1.746 | 1.689 | 1.631 | - | |||||
Whey (in powder or in block)*** | 2.177 | 2.187 | 2.214 | 2.231 | |||||
Caseins and caseinates (Cod. Eurostat D9300)** | 114 | 146 | 146 | - | |||||
Other fresh products (milk-based desserts, ice cream) (Cod. Eurostat D9200)** | 2.237 | 2.201 | 2.131 | - | |||||
EXPORT | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2025 | % | Period | |
Cheese (0406) | TOP importers | 1.385 | 1.327 | 1.386 | 1.388 | 437 | 451 | +3,2% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Fat-Filled Milk Powder (FFMP) (190190) | TOP importers | 1.188 | 1.144 | 1.101 | 1.112 | 371 | 353 | -4,8% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Whey (0404) | TOP importers | 831 | 780 | 790 | 850 | 268 | 279 | +4,2% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Sweet dairy Whey (12% protein) and WPC (040410) | TOP importers | 717 | 662 | 692 | 744 | 231 | 247 | +6,6% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
SMP (040210) | TOP importers | 788 | 707 | 775 | 718 | 264 | 264 | +0,1% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Latte Confezionato (04011010+04012011+04012091) | TOP importers | 1.098 | 827 | 788 | 664 | 221 | 198 | -10,6% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Whole (04012091) | TOP importers | 773 | 564 | 544 | 467 | 157 | 145 | -8,0% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Semi-Skimmed (04012011) | TOP importers | 175 | 164 | 169 | 133 | 44 | 37 | -15,3% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Skimmed (04011010) | TOP importers | 149 | 98 | 74 | 65 | 20 | 16 | -20,5% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Yogurt and buttermilk (0403) | TOP importers | 544 | 510 | 502 | 541 | 176 | 185 | +5,3% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Infant milk formula (190110) | TOP importers | 508 | 575 | 488 | 482 | 154 | 159 | +3,5% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Condensed Milk (040291+040299) | TOP importers | 341 | 295 | 319 | 319 | 105 | 95 | -8,9% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Butter And Other Fats (0405) | TOP importers | 262 | 253 | 287 | 274 | 90 | 86 | -4,7% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Anhydrous Milk Fat (040590) | TOP importers | 30 | 25 | 27 | 23 | 7,2 | 6,4 | -10,3% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Cream (040130+040140+040150) | TOP importers | 265 | 261 | 252 | 269 | 91 | 86 | -5,9% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Lactose Pharmaceutical (170211) | TOP importers | 262 | 228 | 230 | 253 | 90 | 81 | -10,0% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Latte Sfuso (04011090+04012019+04012099) | TOP importers | 223 | 231 | 197 | 229 | 75 | 72 | -4,3% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Whole (04012099) | TOP importers | 170 | 167 | 146 | 211 | 70 | 69 | -1,8% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Semi-skimmed (04012019) | TOP importers | 4,0 | 13 | 5,6 | 1,9 | 0,7 | 0,6 | -19,7% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Skimmed (04011090) | TOP importers | 49 | 50 | 45 | 17 | 3,8 | 2,0 | -47,5% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Other Product | 462 | 387 | 404 | 360 | 122 | 112 | -8,3% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
Soya-based beverages (protein content >=2,8 %) | 52 | 52 | 50 | 49 | 16 | 20 | +26,2% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
Soya-based beverages (protein content of <2.8%) based on nuts, cereals or seeds | 427 | 400 | 373 | 355 | 117 | 112 | -4,3% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
Non-alcoholic beverages containing < 0,2% fats derived from milk or milk products | 96 | 98 | 98 | 107 | 35 | 38 | +6,5% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
IMPORT | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2025 | % | Period | |
Latte Sfuso (04011090+04012019+04012099) | TOP exporters | 514 | 594 | 663 | 691 | 262 | 264 | +0,4% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Whole (04012099) | TOP exporters | 504 | 584 | 654 | 670 | 249 | 260 | +4,3% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Semi-skimmed (04012019) | TOP exporters | 6,7 | 8,9 | 8,1 | 8,7 | 2,7 | 3,5 | +30,7% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Skimmed (04011090) | TOP exporters | 2,7 | 1,2 | 0,9 | 12 | 11 | 0,1 | -99,0% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Cheese (0406) | TOP exporters | 196 | 187 | 174 | 187 | 63 | 63 | +0,4% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Whey (0404) | TOP exporters | 89 | 93 | 74 | 77 | 27 | 27 | +1,2% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Sweet dairy Whey (12% protein) and WPC (040410) | TOP exporters | 88 | 92 | 72 | 74 | 26 | 26 | +0,1% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Fat-Filled Milk Powder (FFMP) (190190) | TOP exporters | 77 | 78 | 71 | 75 | 24 | 24 | +2,1% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Latte Confezionato (04011010+04012011+04012091) | TOP exporters | 50 | 48 | 49 | 63 | 22 | 22 | -1,0% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Whole (04012091) | TOP exporters | 25 | 27 | 27 | 37 | 13 | 14 | +9,8% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Semi-Skimmed (04012011) | TOP exporters | 20 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 5,5 | 5,9 | +7,8% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Skimmed (04011010) | TOP exporters | 5,6 | 6,2 | 4,0 | 7,7 | 3,5 | 1,5 | -55,6% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Lactose Pharmaceutical (170211) | TOP exporters | 18 | 35 | 49 | 45 | 20 | 14 | -28,6% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Yogurt and buttermilk (0403) | TOP exporters | 51 | 87 | 51 | 45 | 13 | 10 | -25,3% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Condensed Milk (040291+040299) | TOP exporters | 37 | 38 | 40 | 43 | 14 | 18 | +24,0% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
SMP (040210) | TOP exporters | 32 | 36 | 36 | 41 | 13 | 13 | -0,8% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Butter And Other Fats (0405) | TOP exporters | 46 | 69 | 53 | 36 | 10 | 18 | +78,2% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Anhydrous Milk Fat (040590) | TOP exporters | 19 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 6,4 | 11 | +64,1% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) (350220) | TOP exporters | 23 | 32 | 33 | 36 | 13 | 12 | -9,0% | Jan-Apr 2025 |
Other Product | 60 | 74 | 64 | 60 | 18 | 29 | +58,5% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
Soya-based beverages (protein content >=2,8 %) | 8,7 | 10 | 8,1 | 10 | 2,8 | 4,3 | +54,7% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
Soya-based beverages (protein content of <2.8%) based on nuts, cereals or seeds | 28 | 26 | 34 | 40 | 13 | 11 | -12,6% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
Non-alcoholic beverages containing < 0,2% fats derived from milk or milk products | 6,4 | 6,5 | 7,3 | 9,6 | 2,1 | 5,3 | +149,2% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |
DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION (Source: FAS-USDA) | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2025 | % | Period | |
Cheese | 9.212 | 9.194 | 9.289 | 9.500 | 9.500 | 9.560 | +0,6% | Jan-Dec 2025 | |
Butter | 1.927 | 1.910 | 1.891 | 1.855 | 1.855 | 1.825 | -1,6% | Jan-Dec 2025 | |
SMP | 748 | 846 | 697 | 760 | 760 | 720 | -5,3% | Jan-Dec 2025 | |
WMP | 376 | 402 | 398 | 416 | 416 | 400 | -3,8% | Jan-Dec 2025 | |
PER CAPITA CONSUMPTIONS (kg) | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2025 | % | Period | |
Cheese | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | |||||
Butter | 4,3 | 4,3 | 4,2 | 4,1 | |||||
SMP | 1,7 | 1,9 | 1,6 | 1,7 | |||||
WMP | 0,8 | 0,9 | 0,9 | 0,9 | |||||
% Self-sufficiency rate | 116,3% | 114,8% | 116,5% | 114,6% | 110,1% | Jan-Apr 2025 | |||
SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATORS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2025(f) | % | Period | |
GDP (gross domestic product) | 6,28% | 3,52% | 0,54% | 0,90% | 0,90% | 1,10% | Jan-Dic 2025 | ||
CPI (consumer price index) | 2,90% | 9,19% | 6,36% | 2,60% | 2,60% | 2,20% | Jan-Dic 2025 | ||
Population ('000) | 445.891 | 445.997 | 447.695 | 449.306 | |||||
(e): estimated
* Per capita GDP in Euro is calculated by using the yearly average exchange rate
** Only the production of the EU countries that officially declared the data are considered.
*** source: agridata.ec.europa.eu
SOURCES
Raw material area: Sheep and Goat Milk Deliveries: Eurostat (annual data dataset: apro_mk_pobta); Milk Deliveries, % Protein e % Fat: Eurostat (dataset: apro_mk_colm); Milk Production: Eurostat (dataset: agr_r_milkpr); Number of cows: Eurostat (dataset: agr_r_animal); Number of Goats, Sheeps and Bufaloes: Eurostat (dataset: apro_mt_lsgoat, apro_mt_lssheep, apro_mt_lscatl ); Sheep and Goat Milk Production: Eurostat (annual data dataset: apro_mk_farm); Farm-gate milk price: Milk Market Observatory; Import/Export of Breeding Heifers: IHS ; Organic Milk Production: Eurostat (dataset: org_aprod);
Dairy production: (annual data dataset: apro_mk_pobta, monthly data dataset: apro_mk_colm)
Export: Eurostat
Import: Eurostat
Consumption: FAS-USDA
GDP and CPI: Intesa Sanpaolo
GDP per capita: International Monetary Found
Population: Eurostat
*** MILK DELIVERIES AND MILK PRODUCTION
- Milk deliveries (apro_mk_colm): milk collected by dairies (located in the Member State) from the agricultural holdings (within or outside the Member State).
- Milk production (agr_r_milkpr): milk produced by agricultural holdings (located in the Member State) and a part of this milk is delivered to dairies (within or outside the Member State).
Note: Self-sufficiency rate = Milk deliveries/(Domestic use in milk equivalent ME)
Domestic use in milk equivalent (ME) = Milk deliveries + Import in ME - Export in ME
The Self-sufficiency rate does not consider the trade of FFMP (fat-filled milk powder) - HS 190190 and the infant milk formula.
Last update: 17-06-2025