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.
Denmark Whey Production was 28.74 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 0.2% on 2022. Denmark’s whey production followed a moderate growth pattern between 2015 and 2023, supported by its highly developed dairy sector, advanced milk processing facilities, and strong position in European dairy exports. Based on the available macro indicator data, Denmark recorded whey production of 24.06 thousand tonnes in 2015, which increased to 25.96 thousand tonnes in 2016.
Denmark Whey Production moved from 24.06 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 28.74 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+19.5%), an average of +2.2% a year. The series high was 44.24 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 24.06 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2015) is 20.18 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +59.1% in 2017.
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, Denmark ranks 16 for 2023, behind U.S. (654.3 Thousand Tonnes) and France (420.7 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.9% 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 | 28.74 | −0.2% |
| 2022 | 28.80 | +9.7% |
| 2021 | 26.26 | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 25.89 | −19.2% |
| 2019 | 32.03 | −27.6% |
| 2018Peak | 44.24 | +7.1% |
| 2017 | 41.31 | +59.1% |
| 2016 | 25.96 | +7.9% |
| 2015 Trough | 24.06 | — |
Regional context
Whey Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Denmark 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 grew significantly in 2017, reaching 41.31 thousand tonnes, followed by a further rise to 44.24 thousand tonnes in 2018, representing the highest production level during the observed period. However, output declined afterward, reaching 32.03 thousand tonnes in 2019 and 25.89 thousand tonnes in 2020. Production remained relatively stable in the following years, with 26.26 thousand tonnes recorded in 2021, increasing to 28.80 thousand tonnes in 2022, and slightly declining to 28.74 thousand tonnes in 2023. Denmark’s whey production reflects the performance of its efficient dairy processing industry, where cheese manufacturing and milk-based ingredient production play important roles. The country is recognized for its advanced dairy technology, strong agricultural systems, and emphasis on producing high-quality dairy ingredients for domestic and international markets. Whey generated from dairy processing is increasingly utilized in applications such as protein supplements, nutritional beverages, food processing, and animal feed. Despite fluctuations, Denmark has maintained a stable whey production base due to its efficient supply chain and expertise in dairy innovation. Overall, Danish whey production increased from 24.06 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 28.74 thousand tonnes in 2023, indicating positive long-term development. The industry continues to benefit from investments in sustainable dairy practices, improved whey recovery technologies, and growing global demand for functional dairy ingredients. Denmark’s strong export-oriented dairy sector positions it as an important contributor to the European whey market.
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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.
Denmark Whey Production was 28.74 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 0.2% on 2022.
Denmark Whey Production moved from 24.06 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 28.74 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+19.5%), an average of +2.2% a year. The series high was 44.24 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 24.06 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
The highest value was 44.24 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 24.06 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
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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