Lower over the period
Sweden Whey Production moved from 2.27 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 1.96 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−13.7%), an average of −1.8% a year. The series high was 2.27 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 1.96 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
What Sweden Whey Production shows
Sweden Whey Production was 1.96 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 0% on 2022. Sweden’s whey production remained relatively stable but showed a declining trend during the 2015–2023 period, influenced by changes in dairy processing activities and domestic milk production patterns. Based on the macro indicator data, Sweden recorded whey production of 2.27 thousand tonnes in 2015, followed by a slight decline to 2.20 thousand tonnes in 2016.
A 13.7% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2022) is 0.310 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −7.1% in 2022.
Ranks 22 of 23 countries covered
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, Sweden ranks 22 for 2023, behind U.S. (654.3 Thousand Tonnes) and France (420.7 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.1% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Sweden 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 | 1.96 | 0% |
| 2022 Trough | 1.96 | −7.1% |
| 2021 | 2.11 | +1% |
| 2020 | 2.09 | +2.5% |
| 2019 | 2.04 | −0.5% |
| 2018 | 2.05 | −1.4% |
| 2017 | 2.08 | −5.5% |
| 2016 | 2.20 | −3.1% |
| 2015Peak | 2.27 | — |
Regional context
How Sweden compares in Europe
Whey Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Sweden is highlighted.
1France420.7
2Germany384.5
3Ireland268.5
4Italy240.2
5Belarus158.6
6Netherlands158.5
7Switzerland73.35
14Sweden1.96
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 continued to decrease in 2017, reaching 2.08 thousand tonnes, and declined further to 2.05 thousand tonnes in 2018. In 2019, whey production stood at 2.04 thousand tonnes, representing the lowest level during the period. However, production showed a small recovery in 2020, increasing to 2.09 thousand tonnes, followed by 2.11 thousand tonnes in 2021. In 2022, production declined slightly to 1.96 thousand tonnes, and the same level was maintained in 2023. The overall trend indicates a reduction in whey production from 2.27 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 1.96 thousand tonnes in 2023, although annual fluctuations remained limited. Sweden’s whey industry operates within a highly developed dairy sector characterized by efficient production systems, strong quality standards, and a focus on sustainable food manufacturing. Whey is primarily generated through dairy processing activities, especially cheese production, and is utilized in food ingredients, protein products, and animal nutrition applications. Although Sweden’s production volume is smaller compared with major European whey producers, the country benefits from advanced dairy technology and innovation capabilities. The industry has increasingly emphasized resource efficiency by converting dairy by-products into valuable ingredients rather than treating them as waste. Demand for protein-rich foods and sustainable food solutions may create opportunities for improved whey utilization in the future. Overall, Sweden’s whey production remained stable but experienced a moderate decline, reflecting the mature nature of its dairy processing industry and changing production dynamics within the Scandinavian dairy market.
- Indicator
- Whey Production
- Country
- Sweden
- 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 Sweden 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 Sweden Whey Production in 2023?
Sweden Whey Production was 1.96 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 0% on 2022.
How has Sweden Whey Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
Sweden Whey Production moved from 2.27 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 1.96 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−13.7%), an average of −1.8% a year. The series high was 2.27 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 1.96 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
Which year had the highest and lowest Sweden Whey Production?
The highest value was 2.27 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 1.96 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
What does the Sweden 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 Sweden 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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