EU farms produced an estimated 161.8 million tonnes of raw milk in 2024, a modest increase of 0.9 million tonnes compared to 2023. This figure builds on a decade of steady growth, with production rising by 12.1 million tonnes since 2014, when output was 149.7 million tonnes. According to Eurostat, the trend underlines the resilience and expanding capacity of the EU dairy industry.

Dairy Consumption And Product Diversification

Of the total raw milk output, approximately 150.8 million tonnes were directed to dairies, underpinning the production of a diverse range of fresh and processed dairy products. Notably, much of the milk is allocated to cheese and butter manufacturing. Specifically, 59.9 million tonnes of whole milk, assisted by an additional 17.0 million tonnes of skimmed milk, were transformed into 10.8 million tonnes of cheese. Similarly, 44.2 million tonnes of whole milk facilitated the production of 2.3 million tonnes of butter and other yellow products, generating 41.5 million tonnes of skimmed milk as a by-product.

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Leading National Contributors

Germany emerged as the EU’s largest producer of drinking milk, accountable for 18.8% of overall production and dominating the production of acidified milk products, butter, and cheese with respective shares of 27.1%, 20.6%, and 22.5%. Spain and France follow closely, with Spain contributing 15.2% and France 12.7% to the production of drinking milk. France also holds significant positions in the butter (17.2%) and cheese (17.8%) segments.

Niche Production And Strategic Specialization: The Case Of Cyprus

Cyprus remains a minor player within the EU dairy sector. Its modest agricultural base, constrained pastureland, and limited herd sizes yield relatively low production volumes—recording 56,310 tonnes for drinking milk, 12,440 tonnes for acidified milk products such as yoghurt, 0.050 tonnes for butter, and 42,550 tonnes for cheese. However, the island’s strategic focus on high-value cheese production, particularly halloumi, a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product, underscores its competitive niche in the market. With a high proportion of available milk being allocated to cheese, Cyprus exemplifies how specialization can drive export success, even amid constrained production capacities.