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.
Turkey Whey Production was 80.88 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 8.7% on 2022. Turkey’s whey production demonstrated strong growth between 2015 and 2023, reflecting improvements in dairy processing capacity, increased cheese production, and growing demand for whey-based ingredients. According to the macro indicator data, Turkey produced 32.79 thousand tonnes of whey in 2015, which increased to 34.72 thousand tonnes in 2016 and 41.73 thousand tonnes in 2017.
Turkey Whey Production moved from 32.79 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 80.88 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+146.6%), an average of +11.9% a year. The series high was 83.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the low 32.79 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2015) is 50.21 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +32.3% in 2019.
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, Turkey ranks 9 for 2023, behind U.S. (654.3 Thousand Tonnes) and France (420.7 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 2.5% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
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 | 80.88 | +8.7% |
| 2022 | 74.38 | −10.4% |
| 2021Peak | 83.00 | +28% |
| 2020 | 64.85 | +13.8% |
| 2019 | 57.00 | +32.3% |
| 2018 | 43.10 | +3.3% |
| 2017 | 41.73 | +20.2% |
| 2016 | 34.72 | +5.9% |
| 2015 Trough | 32.79 | — |
Regional context
Whey Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Turkey 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 continued to rise in 2018, reaching 43.10 thousand tonnes, followed by further growth to 57.00 thousand tonnes in 2019. The upward trend continued during 2020 and 2021, with production reaching 64.85 thousand tonnes and 83.00 thousand tonnes respectively. Although output declined slightly to 74.38 thousand tonnes in 2022, production recovered to 80.88 thousand tonnes in 2023. The significant increase over the period highlights the expansion of Turkey’s dairy processing industry and improved utilization of whey as a valuable dairy by-product. Turkey’s whey sector benefits from a strong milk production base, developed cheese manufacturing activities, and increasing investment in dairy ingredient processing. Whey generated from cheese production is increasingly used for whey powders, protein concentrates, nutritional supplements, bakery applications, and animal feed. The growing popularity of high-protein foods and functional beverages has encouraged Turkish dairy processors to enhance whey processing capabilities. The industry is also focusing on sustainability by reducing dairy waste and maximizing the economic value of by-products. Overall, Turkey’s whey production sector shows positive development, supported by rising dairy output, technological advancement, and expanding domestic and export opportunities. Continued investment in processing facilities and value-added whey products is expected to strengthen Turkey’s position in the regional and global whey ingredient market.
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
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.
Turkey Whey Production was 80.88 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 8.7% on 2022.
Turkey Whey Production moved from 32.79 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 80.88 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+146.6%), an average of +11.9% a year. The series high was 83.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the low 32.79 Thousand Tonnes in 2015.
The highest value was 83.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the lowest was 32.79 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.
Need more data?
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.