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.
Netherlands Whey Production was 158.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 0% on 2022. The Netherlands demonstrated steady growth in whey production between 2015 and 2023, supported by its globally recognized dairy industry, extensive milk processing capacity, and strong position in dairy ingredient exports. According to the macro indicator data, Dutch whey production was 127.00 thousand tonnes in 2015, followed by a slight decrease to 121.00 thousand tonnes in 2016.
Netherlands Whey Production moved from 127 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 158.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+24.8%), an average of +2.8% a year. The series high was 200.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the low 121 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
The gap between the series high (2020) and low (2016) is 79.66 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +33.9% in 2017.
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, Netherlands ranks 7 for 2023, behind U.S. (654.3 Thousand Tonnes) and France (420.7 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 4.8% 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 | 158.5 | 0% |
| 2022 | 158.5 | −8.8% |
| 2021 | 173.7 | −13.4% |
| 2020Peak | 200.7 | +8.1% |
| 2019 | 185.6 | +12.5% |
| 2018 | 165 | +1.9% |
| 2017 | 162 | +33.9% |
| 2016 Trough | 121 | −4.7% |
| 2015 | 127 | — |
Regional context
Whey Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Netherlands 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 significantly in 2017, reaching 162.00 thousand tonnes, and continued to grow in 2018 with output reaching 165.00 thousand tonnes. The upward trend continued in 2019 when whey production increased to 185.55 thousand tonnes, reflecting strong dairy processing activity and higher utilization of whey resources. Production reached its highest level during the period in 2020 at 200.66 thousand tonnes, supported by strong demand for dairy ingredients and efficient processing infrastructure. However, production declined slightly in 2021 to 173.73 thousand tonnes, followed by further decreases to 158.52 thousand tonnes in both 2022 and 2023. Despite the decline after 2020, the Netherlands maintained a significantly higher production level compared with the beginning of the period, increasing from 127.00 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 158.52 thousand tonnes in 2023. The Dutch whey industry benefits from its advanced dairy ecosystem, strong cheese production sector, and internationally competitive dairy companies. Whey is increasingly processed into high-value products such as whey protein concentrates, whey powders, lactose ingredients, and specialized nutrition products. The Netherlands’ focus on innovation, sustainability, and efficient resource utilization has strengthened its position in the global dairy ingredient market. Growing demand for protein-based foods, sports nutrition, and functional beverages continues to support opportunities for whey producers. Overall, Dutch whey production shows a positive long-term trend, highlighting the country’s importance as a major European supplier of whey-based dairy ingredients.
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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.
Netherlands Whey Production was 158.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 0% on 2022.
Netherlands Whey Production moved from 127 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 158.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+24.8%), an average of +2.8% a year. The series high was 200.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the low 121 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
The highest value was 200.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the lowest was 121 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
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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