Production and export of milk and dairy products in the first half of 2025

In the first half of 2025, the Polish dairy sector recorded a marked increase. Dairy exports reached nearly EUR 2.1 billion, which is 14% more than a year earlier. 

Poland has strengthened its position as one of the largest producers and exporters of milk in the European Union, according to a report by the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR).

Global trends

According to the FAO forecast, global milk production in 2025 will reach 992.7 million tonnes, an increase of 1% compared to the previous year. The largest increases will be recorded in Asia (+1.5 percent to 467.4 million tons) and North and South America (+1.3 percent to 204.7 million tons). Production in Europe will remain stable, at 236.4 million tonnes (+0.2%), and in the European Union – where there is a reduction in the number of cows, but higher milk yield – it will amount to 155.8 million tonnes.

Milk production in Poland

Poland, along with Germany and France, remains one of the largest milk producers in the EU. In May 2025, the number of dairy cows was 1.92 million head, which is 0.4 percent less than a year earlier. The largest herds are located in the Mazowieckie and Podlaskie Voivodeships (22 per cent share each), Wielkopolskie (15 per cent) and Warmińsko-Mazurskie (8 per cent). A total of 85 percent of the population is concentrated in six provinces of central and eastern Poland.

In the period from January to June 2025, 6.8 billion litres of milk were purchased. This is nearly 2 percent more than in the same time of 2024. In June, deliveries amounted to 1.14 billion litres, which meant a 4 percent decrease compared to May, but a 4 percent increase on an annual basis.

Foreign trade – strong export growth

Polish exports of dairy products in the first half of 2025 reached EUR 2.1 billion (PLN 8.8 billion), which is 14% more than a year earlier. Imports amounted to EUR 1 billion (+11% y/y). The trade surplus increased to EUR 1.1 billion, a 16% increase.

Source: a study by the Strategy Analysis Bureau of the National Centre for Rural Development based on data from the Ministry of Finance, 2025 – preliminary data. 

Main directions of Polish exports

• EU – 73% of the value of exports (EUR 1.5 billion, +19% y/y). The largest markets: Germany (22%), the Czech Republic (7%), the Netherlands (7%), Italy (5%), Romania (5%).
• Outside the EU  – 27% (EUR 560 million, +1% r/r).

Main destinations: Great Britain (5 per cent), Algeria (4 per cent), Ukraine (3 per cent), Saudi Arabia and China (2 per cent each).

Commodity structure of Polish exports

The dairy industry received the largest revenues in the first six months of 2025 from exports of cheese and cottage cheese (EUR 650 million), liquid milk and cream (EUR 403 million), butter and milk fats (EUR 289 million), ice cream (EUR 274 million) and condensed and powdered milk (EUR 196 million).

Trade balance in selected groups

• Ripening cheeses – export 78 thousand tonnes (EUR 417 million, +12% y/y), the balance of EUR 215 million.
• Liquide milk and cream – export 472 thousand tonnes (EUR 403 million), balance EUR 265 million (+28% y/y).
• Butter – 40 thousand tonnes (EUR 289 million), balance EUR 206 million (+34% y/y).
• Ice cream – 72 thousand tonnes (274 million EUR), balance 153 million EUR ( – 2% y/y).
• Skimmed milk powder (SMP) – 68 thousand tonnes (EUR 174 million, -10% y/y), balance EUR 84 million (-19% y/y).
• Fermented yoghurt – 80 tonnes (EUR 143 million, +21% y/y), balance EUR 95 million (+36% y/y).
• Whey – 102 thousand tonnes (EUR 117 million, +22% y/y), balance EUR 69 million (+20% y/y).

The first half of 2025 was a period of significant increase in exports for the Polish dairy sector, especially to EU countries. The most important role was played by cheese, liquid milk, butter and ice cream. Despite slight declines in exports of milk powders, the trade balance remains positive.

Source: Report „Sytuacja podażowo-popytowa i cenowa na rynku mleka oraz produktów mlecznych w pierwszym półroczu 2025 .”, KOWR Analysis and Strategy Office, 20th August 2025