Higher over the period
Spain 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.
What Spain Whey Production shows
Spain Whey Production was 28.74 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 0.2% on 2022. Spain’s whey production showed significant growth during the 2015–2023 period, supported by the expansion of its dairy processing sector, increasing cheese production, and rising demand for dairy-based ingredients. According to the macro indicator data, Spain produced 24.06 thousand tonnes of whey in 2015, followed by a slight increase to 25.96 thousand tonnes in 2016.
A 45.6% peak-to-trough swing
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.
Ranks 15 of 23 countries covered
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, Spain ranks 15 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
Spain Whey Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| 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
How Spain compares in Europe
Whey Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Spain is highlighted.
1France420.7
2Germany384.5
3Ireland268.5
4Italy240.2
5Belarus158.6
6Netherlands158.5
7Switzerland73.35
10Spain28.74
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
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.
About this indicator
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 expanded considerably in 2017, reaching 41.31 thousand tonnes, indicating stronger activity within the dairy processing industry. The upward trend continued in 2018, with production increasing to 44.24 thousand tonnes, which was the highest production level recorded during the period. However, production declined in subsequent years, falling to 32.03 thousand tonnes in 2019 and further decreasing to 25.89 thousand tonnes in 2020. In 2021, whey production showed a marginal recovery, reaching 26.26 thousand tonnes, followed by further improvement to 28.80 thousand tonnes in 2022. Production remained almost stable in 2023 at 28.74 thousand tonnes. Although Spain experienced fluctuations throughout the period, the overall trend indicates a moderate increase from 24.06 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 28.74 thousand tonnes in 2023. The Spanish whey industry is closely linked with its cheese manufacturing sector, where whey is generated as a by-product during milk processing. The country has been improving the utilization of whey through value-added applications, including whey powders, protein concentrates, and functional dairy ingredients used in food, beverage, and nutrition industries. Spain’s growing focus on efficient dairy processing, sustainability, and waste reduction has encouraged greater recovery and commercialization of whey resources. Despite being smaller compared with major European producers, Spain continues to strengthen its position through modernization of dairy facilities and increasing demand for protein-rich ingredients. The industry’s future growth potential is supported by rising consumer interest in nutritional products, sports supplements, and high-protein foods, which are increasing the importance of whey as a valuable dairy ingredient.
- Indicator
- Whey Production
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Europe
- Unit
- Thousand Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is Spain 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.
What was Spain Whey Production in 2023?
Spain Whey Production was 28.74 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, down 0.2% on 2022.
How has Spain Whey Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
Spain 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.
Which year had the highest and lowest Spain Whey Production?
The highest value was 44.24 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 24.06 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
What does the Spain Whey Production data include and exclude?
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.
Where does the Spain Whey Production data come from?
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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