EU dairy exports rise, growth hits 7-month low

In January 2026, overall EU dairy exports increased, posting an increase of +2.92%, equivalent to approximately +74 million kilograms of LME. As such this is positive news, but January posted the lowest export growth in 7 months. December has been the strongest month for dairy exports of the year at + 16.32% or + 496 million kgs LME. Despite the overall increase, a few product groups delivered a negative performance. Exports of Whey, Milk constituents, Lactose, I/F, Cheese, AMF & Cream recorded losses, demonstrating an uncompetitive climate for these products. EU Exports January 2026 January '25 January '26 ∆ ∆% SMP 62.378 67.860 5.482 8,79% WMP 16.078 16.314 236 1,47% Whey 58.155 56.347 -1.808 -3,11% Products of Natural milk constituents n.e.s. 8.387 8.146 -241 -2,87% WPC80/WPI's 4.259 4.660 401 9,42% Casein 4.280 4.561 281 6,57% Caseinates 1.072 1.344 272 25,37% MPC 1.881 2.329 448 23,82% Lactose 21.308 19.275 -2.033 -9,54% FFMP 29.815 38.107 8.292 27,81% I/F 39.626 35.596 -4.030 -10,17% Cheese 110.332 110.074 -258 -0,23% Butter 17.335 21.757 4.422 25,51% AMF 2.026 1.643 -383 -18,90% Cream 20.815 15.448 -5.367 -25,78% Yoghurt 26.058 29.412 3.354 12,87% Fermented milk 17.182 19.309 2.127 12,38% Condensed 23.367 23.662 295 1,26% Milk 52.433 72.168 19.735 37,64% EU Imports January '26 January '25 January '26 ∆ ∆% SMP 2.904 2.058 -846 -29,13% WMP 2.316 104 -2.212 -95,51% Whey 3.833 3.978 145 3,78% WPC80/WPI's 3.215 2.422 -793 -24,67% Casein 628 567 -61 -9,71% Caseinates 129 21 -108 -83,72% MPC 1.202 1.417 215 17,89% Lactose 4.451 3.154 -1.297 -29,14% I/F 375 256 -119 -31,73% Cheese 15.229 15.986 757 4,97% Butter 1.277 1.652 375 29,37% AMF 2.267 4.651 2.384 105,16% Cream 3.058 2.232 -826 -27,01% Conc. Liq whey 2.277 2.317 40 1,76% Yoghurt 801 813 12 1,50% Fermented 1.472 1.314 -158 -10,73% Condensed 3.478 4.093 615 17,68% Milk 64.574 58.635 -5.939 -9,20% In January 2026, import volumes showed a decrease, recording a change of -6.35%, which is equivalent to -21 million kilograms of LME. The strongest declines were recorded in SMP, WMP, WPC80/WPI, Casein, Caseinates, Lactose, I/F, Cream, fermented drinks and fresh milk. This marks a significant fall from January 2025. As per 31 January, stocks have increased by 14 % since the end of 2025 year, or by + 422 million kgs LME. This amounts to 28% of YTD January ‘26 milk production in the EU.