Whey production refers to the total quantity of whey generated during the processing of milk into cheese, casein, yogurt, and other dairy products over a specified period, typically measured in metric tonnes.
Austria Whey Production was 23.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 2.7% on 2022. Austria’s whey production remained relatively stable during the 2015–2023 period, supported by its established dairy industry, cheese manufacturing sector, and advanced food processing capabilities. According to the macro indicator data, Austria produced 26.42 thousand tonnes of whey in 2015, followed by 25.18 thousand tonnes in 2016.
Austria Whey Production moved from 26.42 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 23.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−12.8%), an average of −1.7% a year. The series high was 31.21 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the low 23.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2023) is 8.17 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +23.9% in 2017.
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, Austria ranks 17 for 2023, behind U.S. (654.3 Thousand Tonnes) and France (420.7 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.7% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Trough | 23.04 | −2.7% |
| 2022 | 23.69 | 0% |
| 2021 | 23.69 | −4.6% |
| 2020 | 24.84 | +4.2% |
| 2019 | 23.83 | −1.9% |
| 2018 | 24.30 | −22.1% |
| 2017Peak | 31.21 | +23.9% |
| 2016 | 25.18 | −4.7% |
| 2015 | 26.42 | — |
Regional context
Whey Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Austria is highlighted.
Data definition
Whey Production — Whey production refers to the total quantity of whey generated during the processing of milk into cheese, casein, yogurt, and other dairy products over a specified period, typically measured in metric tonnes. Whey is the liquid by-product remaining after milk has been curdled and strained and contains proteins, lactose, minerals, and water. This indicator measures the volume of whey produced by the dairy industry before it undergoes further processing into products such as whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), whey powder, lactose, or other dairy ingredients. It serves as an important indicator of dairy processing activity and the availability of whey as a raw material for food, beverage, nutrition, and animal feed industries.
The whey production indicator includes the total annual volume of whey produced from the processing of milk obtained from cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and other dairy animals. It covers both sweet whey and acid whey generated during the manufacture of cheese, casein, yogurt, and similar dairy products. The indicator also includes whey intended for further processing into whey powder, whey protein concentrates, whey protein isolates, lactose, demineralized whey, and other value-added dairy ingredients, regardless of whether the output is used domestically, exported, or supplied for industrial or animal feed applications. Production figures are generally compiled from official agricultural and dairy industry statistics.
The whey production indicator excludes raw milk production and the production volumes of finished dairy products such as cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, skim milk powder, whole milk powder, and casein. It also excludes production data for processed whey derivatives, including whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, lactose, and whey powder, when these are reported separately from raw whey production. In addition, the indicator does not include imports, exports, inventories, retail sales, market prices, consumption data, production capacity, or experimental and non-commercial whey production that falls outside official agricultural and dairy production statistics.
Whey Production — Whey production refers to the total quantity of whey generated during the processing of milk into cheese, casein, yogurt, and other dairy products over a specified period, typically measured in metric tonnes. Whey is the liquid by-product remaining after milk has been curdled and strained and contains proteins, lactose, minerals, and water. This indicator measures the volume of whey produced by the dairy industry before it undergoes further processing into products such as whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), whey powder, lactose, or other dairy ingredients. It serves as an important indicator of dairy processing activity and the availability of whey as a raw material for food, beverage, nutrition, and animal feed industries.
Production increased to 31.21 thousand tonnes in 2017 before declining to 24.30 thousand tonnes in 2018. Output remained relatively stable in the following years, reaching 23.83 thousand tonnes in 2019, 24.84 thousand tonnes in 2020, and 23.69 thousand tonnes in both 2021 and 2022. In 2023, Austria recorded whey production of 23.04 thousand tonnes. The overall trend indicates a mature and stable whey industry with limited fluctuations in annual production volumes. Austria’s whey sector is strongly connected with cheese production, particularly specialty dairy products, where whey is generated as a valuable secondary product. Austrian dairy processors focus on sustainability, quality standards, and efficient resource utilization, allowing whey to be converted into protein ingredients, nutritional products, and animal feed. The country’s advanced dairy infrastructure supports effective processing and value addition of whey resources. Increasing demand for functional foods and protein-based nutrition products provides opportunities for further development of the sector. Overall, Austria’s whey production industry demonstrates stability, efficiency, and sustainability, with future growth potential depending on innovation, improved processing technologies, and expanding applications of whey-derived ingredients. The emphasis on environmentally responsible dairy production, premium-quality products, and technological advancement continues to support Austria’s position within the European dairy ingredient market. Additionally, stronger international partnerships and rising demand for specialized whey products may further enhance Austria’s long-term industry development.
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Whey production refers to the total quantity of whey generated during the processing of milk into cheese, casein, yogurt, and other dairy products over a specified period, typically measured in metric tonnes. Whey is the liquid by-product remaining after milk has been curdled and strained and contains proteins, lactose, minerals, and water. This indicator measures the volume of whey produced by the dairy industry before it undergoes further processing into products such as whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), whey powder, lactose, or other dairy ingredients. It serves as an important indicator of dairy processing activity and the availability of whey as a raw material for food, beverage, nutrition, and animal feed industries.
Austria Whey Production was 23.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 2.7% on 2022.
Austria Whey Production moved from 26.42 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 23.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−12.8%), an average of −1.7% a year. The series high was 31.21 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the low 23.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
The highest value was 31.21 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the lowest was 23.04 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
Included: The whey production indicator includes the total annual volume of whey produced from the processing of milk obtained from cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and other dairy animals. It covers both sweet whey and acid whey generated during the manufacture of cheese, casein, yogurt, and similar dairy products. The indicator also includes whey intended for further processing into whey powder, whey protein concentrates, whey protein isolates, lactose, demineralized whey, and other value-added dairy ingredients, regardless of whether the output is used domestically, exported, or supplied for industrial or animal feed applications. Production figures are generally compiled from official agricultural and dairy industry statistics. Excluded: The whey production indicator excludes raw milk production and the production volumes of finished dairy products such as cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, skim milk powder, whole milk powder, and casein. It also excludes production data for processed whey derivatives, including whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, lactose, and whey powder, when these are reported separately from raw whey production. In addition, the indicator does not include imports, exports, inventories, retail sales, market prices, consumption data, production capacity, or experimental and non-commercial whey production that falls outside official agricultural and dairy production statistics.
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&overlay=download-data&Food=Whey&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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