The 27 EU countries mainly exported more dairy products last year than in 2022. The export of milk powder and butter showed noticeably high growth rates, reports the Bavarian Association of Milk Producers (VMB).
According to VMB, European exports of whole milk powder amounted to approximately 263,000 tonnes, more than 12 percent above last year's level. Despite declining demand from China and Oman, sales volumes increased to Great Britain, Algeria and Nigeria. Sales of skimmed milk powder reached a trading volume of 780,000 tons, which corresponds to an increase of 10 percent and is also higher than 2021 volume sales.
In the whey powder sector, exports to China and Indonesia fell, while improved demand from Thailand and Malaysia boosted sales figures. In total, around 689,000 tons, 3.5 percent more whey powder, was exported compared to the previous year.
The most important dairy product exported to third countries for European trade remains cheese. With a trading volume of 1.38 million tons, this corresponds to the largest segment in terms of volume. Compared to 2022, 4 percent or 48,700 tons more cheese was exported. The main customer was Great Britain. There is less purchasing interest from Japan - as the second largest buyer of European cheese - and the US.