Switzerland was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Milk or whey permeate is the lactose and mineral stream left after protein is filtered from dairy liquids. Buyers are bakers, confectioners, feed makers and dairy processors.
Typical segments
- Milk permeate powder
- Whey permeate powder
- Delactosed permeate
- Feed grade permeate
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 18% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €97 thousand of products under CN code 04049029 (Products consisting of natural milk constituents, not containing added sugar or other) from outside the EU in 2025. | 97 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 04049029 were up 18% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€82 thousand), calculated from Eurostat values. | +18 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 04049029 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.5 million in 2025. | 1.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 04049029 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €5.7 million in 2025. | 5.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 04049029 to the EU in 2025, with €97 thousand, or 100% of extra-EU imports. | 97 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 04049029 to the United States were €1 thousand in 2025. | 1 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 04049029 was €438.94 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 438.94 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Poland was the largest EU exporter of CN 04049029 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €915 thousand. | 915 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 9,094 enterprises in NACE class C1051 (Operation of dairies and cheese making) in 2023. | 9,094 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1051 employed 380,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 380,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 294 private establishments in NAICS 311514 (Dry, condensed, and evaporated dairy product manufacturing) in 2025. | 294 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 311514 employed an average of 20,824 people in US private industry in 2025. | 20,824 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 311514 changed by +15% between 2020 (18,165 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +15 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 311514 was $94,948 in 2025. | 94,948 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04049029, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 97444
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04049029, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 82456; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 97444
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04049029, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1503553
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04049029, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5729177
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04049029, partner CH, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 97270
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04049029, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1424
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 04049029, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 97444, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 2
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter PL, product 04049029, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 915442
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1051, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 9094
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1051, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 380000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 311514, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311514, annual_avg_estabs 294
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311514, annual_avg_emplvl 20824
- Figure 13
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 18165; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 20824
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 311514, avg_annual_pay 94948
- Figure 11
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Bakers
- Feed makers
- Dairy processors
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
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- Excel data pack
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU permeate market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €97 thousand of goods under CN 04049029 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.5 million.
Where does the EU import permeate from?
Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included New Zealand, Mauritius, Norway.
What is the average import price of permeate in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €438.94 per kilogram for CN 04049029 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most permeate?
Poland led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Germany.
How many US companies are in the permeate industry?
BLS counts 294 private establishments in NAICS 311514 (Dry, condensed, and evaporated dairy product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the permeate industry?
Eurostat counts 9,094 enterprises in NACE class C1051 (Operation of dairies and cheese making).
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