Dairy market in Poland - statistics & facts
The Polish dairy market is one of the most important food markets in the country. Not only does the market consist of traditional segments, which include established product categories and brands, but it is also appealing to Poles who are curious and willing to try new alternatives. So, the dairy market accommodates room for products that promote a healthy lifestyle, as well as those suitable for various diets. Consequently, the dairy and egg market revenue has seen a steady increase over the years, and it is forecast to reach 14.5 billion U.S. dollars by 2029.
The export value also differed across the years in the cheese segment, peaking at 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. German, Czech, and Italian consumers especially favored Polish cheese. These three countries account for around one-third of the export value share. Poland has also been open to trying foreign cheese products, which can be observed in the increasing cheese and curd import volume.
In 2023, go VEGE was the most popular plant-based drink brand, consumed by about six in ten Poles. However, when it comes to plant-based yogurts, the most popular products in Poland were those from Alpro.
The dairy market in Poland is a significant market, steadily strengthening its position not only in the national but also in the European space. Nevertheless, due to ever-evolving dietary trends and people's greater awareness of healthy eating, producers face challenges in meeting a variety of consumer needs such as different diets and changing lifestyles.
Trade flows of dairy products
The import volume of milk and cream fluctuated over the last few years, amounting to over 202,000 metric tons in 2023. Poles most enjoyed Lithuanian and German milk products; the leading partners constituted over 73 percent of milk and cream import value in the same year. Regarding export value share, Polish milk and cream products were mainly present in the German market.The export value also differed across the years in the cheese segment, peaking at 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. German, Czech, and Italian consumers especially favored Polish cheese. These three countries account for around one-third of the export value share. Poland has also been open to trying foreign cheese products, which can be observed in the increasing cheese and curd import volume.
A path toward plant-based dairy alternatives?
The vast majority of surveyed Poles said that increasing plant-based products in their daily diet had a positive impact on their health. The positive attitude to plant-based products was evident from the increase in their sales and emerging equivalents. By far, Poles were the most likely to reach for such a milk equivalent, whose sales in 2022 reached more than 387 million zloty.In 2023, go VEGE was the most popular plant-based drink brand, consumed by about six in ten Poles. However, when it comes to plant-based yogurts, the most popular products in Poland were those from Alpro.
The dairy market in Poland is a significant market, steadily strengthening its position not only in the national but also in the European space. Nevertheless, due to ever-evolving dietary trends and people's greater awareness of healthy eating, producers face challenges in meeting a variety of consumer needs such as different diets and changing lifestyles.
