An increase in exports of Polish dairy products in 2025

The Polish dairy industry has received a clear signal of its growing competitiveness and strong position on international markets. In the period January-September 2025, the value of exports reached a record EUR 3.1 billion (PLN 13.3 billion), which means an increase of 14% compared to the same period in the previous year.

Exports of dairy products accounted for 7 percent of all revenues from foreign sales of agri-food products, which shows the importance of this sector for the Polish economy.

A dominance of European Union recipients

Most Polish dairy products go to EU countries. In the first nine months of 2025, exports to Member States amounted to EUR 2.3 billion, an increase of 19% compared to the previous year. EU countries accounted for 73% of the total value of dairy exports.

The largest buyers are: Germany – EUR 667 million (+21%), the Czech Republic – EUR 215 million (+7%), the Netherlands – EUR 189 million (+6%), Romania and Italy – EUR 152 million each (about +5% each). This data shows that Poland maintains a strong position on the dairy market in Europe, but not only there.

Markets outside the EU are growing slowly but steadily

Exports to non-EU countries reached EUR 0.8 billion in this period, or 27% of the total value of dairy exports, which means an increase of 3% compared to the previous year.

The largest recipients outside the EU were:

1. Great Britain— EUR 148 million (+5%)
2. Algieria — EUR 108 million (+3%)
3. Ukrainne — EUR 99 million (+3%)
4. China — EUR 52 milllion (+2%)
5. Saudi Arabia — EUR 49 million (+2 per cent)

These increases prove that Polish dairy products are gaining more and more recognition also outside Europe.

The structure of Polish dairy exports

The diversity of Polish dairy exports makes the industry flexible and resistant to changing market trends.

The largest share of the dairy industry’s export  is held by:

• cheese and cottage cheese – export value: EUR 998 million, weight: 220,000  tons
• liquid milk and cream – export value: EUR 606 million, weight: 730,000  tons
• butter and milk fats – export value: EUR 429 million, weight: 59 .000 tons
• ice cream – export value: EUR 414 million, weight: 109 ,000 tons
• condensed and powdered milk – export value: EUR 279 million, weight: 110,000 tons
• yoghurts and fermented beverages – export value: EUR 217 million, weight: 123,000 tons

The Polish dairy industry is strengthening its position on global markets, not only in the segment of traditional products, but also in the segment of specialized dairy products, gaining a competitive advantage. The dynamic growth of exports to EU countries and other countries proves the effective building of the “Made in Poland” dairy brand on international markets. A stable export structure and a wide range of products gives manufacturers a chance for further development and investment in quality, innovation and logistics. For the dairy industry, this is a time of optimism.

Source: National Centre for Agricultural Support (KOWR), „Eksport produktów mlecznych w okresie Styczeń- Wrzesien 2025 r.”, November 2025