Apr 2, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: EU – Cream Fresh – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The European Union is expected to see an upward consumption trend for cream fresh, with market volume anticipated to reach 2.6M tons by 2035. Market performance is forecasted to expand with a CAGR of +0.6% in volume and +1.7% in value, bringing the market value to $7.3B by the end of 2035.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for cream fresh in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2.6M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $7.3B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
European Union’s Consumption of Cream Fresh
In 2024, cream fresh consumption in the European Union amounted to 2.5M tons, approximately mirroring the year before. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 6.1%. The volume of consumption peaked at 2.7M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
The size of the cream fresh market in the European Union rose rapidly to $6B in 2024, growing by 5.9% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $6.4B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Germany (515K tons), Italy (340K tons) and France (340K tons), together accounting for 48% of total consumption. Poland, Belgium, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +4.4%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest cream fresh markets in the European Union were Germany ($1.3B), Italy ($864M) and Belgium ($712M), with a combined 48% share of the total market. France, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Austria, Romania and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.
The Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +5.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In 2024, the highest levels of cream fresh per capita consumption was registered in Belgium (19 kg per person), followed by Sweden (7.1 kg per person), Austria (7.1 kg per person) and the Czech Republic (6.4 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of cream fresh was estimated at 5.5 kg per person.
In Belgium, cream fresh per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2013-2024. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Sweden (-5.9% per year) and Austria (-0.9% per year).
Production
European Union’s Production of Cream Fresh
In 2024, production of cream fresh increased by 1.3% to 2.8M tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 4.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak volume in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the near future. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a modest increase of the number of producing animals and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.
In value terms, cream fresh production stood at $6.9B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2013 to 2024; 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 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $7.1B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Germany (530K tons), France (460K tons) and Italy (282K tons), together comprising 45% of total production. Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Lithuania, Austria and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +13.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports
European Union’s Imports of Cream Fresh
In 2024, overseas purchases of cream fresh decreased by -8.9% to 980K tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 1.1M tons. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, cream fresh imports expanded notably to $2.8B in 2024. Total imports indicated a notable increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +69.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 49%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
Imports By Country
In 2024, Germany (169K tons), Belgium (155K tons), France (126K tons), the Netherlands (104K tons), Italy (83K tons), Poland (61K tons), Spain (47K tons), Denmark (39K tons) and Greece (30K tons) was the largest importer of cream fresh in the European Union, achieving 83% of total import.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +8.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest cream fresh importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($567M), Belgium ($525M) and France ($409M), with a combined 53% share of total imports. Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Greece and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.
Poland, with a CAGR of +10.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The import price in the European Union stood at $2,899 per ton in 2024, picking up by 19% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($3,395 per ton), while Spain ($1,356 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Greece (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
European Union’s Exports of Cream Fresh
After five years of growth, shipments abroad of cream fresh decreased by -5.2% to 1.3M tons in 2024. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at 1.4M tons in 2023, and then contracted in the following year.
In value terms, cream fresh exports expanded sharply to $4B in 2024. Overall, exports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 42% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
Exports By Country
The biggest shipments were from the Netherlands (258K tons), France (246K tons), Belgium (190K tons) and Germany (184K tons), together accounting for 67% of total export. It was distantly followed by Spain (86K tons), Poland (82K tons) and Lithuania (67K tons), together achieving an 18% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +5.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest cream fresh supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($877M), Belgium ($625M) and Germany ($610M), with a combined 52% share of total exports.
The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +7.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the export price in the European Union amounted to $3,082 per ton, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Export price indicated notable growth from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, cream fresh export price increased by +50.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 37% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Lithuania ($3,509 per ton) and the Netherlands ($3,402 per ton), while France ($2,425 per ton) and Poland ($2,825 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+6.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
