Germany: A Dairy Industry Powerhouse

Germany stands as one of the largest and most influential players in the global dairy market. Renowned for its high standards of production and processing, the country offers a robust framework that encompasses a wide range of dairy products, including milk, cheese, and milk powders.

Key Data on Germany's Dairy Industry

Dairy Cattle and Milk Production

Number of Dairy Cattle: Approximately 4 million head of dairy cattle in 2023

Milk Production: Around 32.2 billion liters per year

Milk Processing

Milk Processing Volume: Approximately 31.8 billion liters per year

Cheese Production: Around 2.4 million metric tons per year

Milk Powder and Whey Production: Estimated at 1.5 million metric tons per year

Major Dairy Enterprises in Germany

Dairy Plants:

• Molkerei Ammerland
• DMK Deutsches Milchkontor
• FrieslandCampina Germany
• Nordmilch
• Lactalis Germany (Including newly acquired BMI Dairy Assets)

Notable Dairy Farms:

• Wiesenhof Dairy
• Farm Dairy GmbH
• Bauer Dairy
• Thuringian Dairy Farm

Exports and Imports

Export of Dairy Products: Germany exported around 4.8 billion euros worth of dairy products in the last year.

Import of Dairy Products: Imported dairy products worth approximately 3.2 billion euros.

Significant Events in the Dairy Market

Recent Trends:

In June 2023, raw milk prices in Germany experienced an increase compared to the previous month. However, raw milk prices remained stable compared to May of the current year.

Major Acquisitions:

Lactalis has made a significant move by acquiring the BMI dairy assets, expanding its presence in Southern Germany. This acquisition is expected to strengthen Lactalis's market position and operational capabilities in the region.

Other Notable Developments:

• Germany has demonstrated robust production throughout the season.
• Moldova, Kazakhstan, Germany, Latvia, and Azerbaijan were key destinations for Ukrainian cheese.
• There is a growing demand for curd snacks in European countries – Finland, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Cyprus.
• Ekosem-Agrar AG, based in Walldorf, Germany, is the holding company of EkoNiva Group, a leading agricultural enterprise in Russia.
• Imports of dairy products into China, primarily from Germany, declined by 13% year-on-year.
• Arla Foods is owned by more than 8400 farmers from Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

The Milk Sustainability Center is now available as a free version to a select number of dairy farmers.

Modified: 2024/10/07

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