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.
Ukraine Whey Production was 13.90 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 0.6% on 2022. Ukraine’s whey production showed a declining trend between 2015 and 2023, reflecting challenges within the dairy processing sector, changing milk production patterns, and economic conditions affecting agricultural industries. The country recorded whey production of 24.69 thousand tonnes in 2015, followed by a slight decrease to 24.05 thousand tonnes in 2016 and 23.81 thousand tonnes in 2017.
Ukraine Whey Production moved from 24.69 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 13.90 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−43.7%), an average of −6.9% a year. The series high was 24.69 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 13.81 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2022) is 10.88 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +32.3% in 2020.
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, Ukraine ranks 19 for 2023, behind U.S. (654.3 Thousand Tonnes) and France (420.7 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.4% 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 | 13.90 | +0.6% |
| 2022 Trough | 13.81 | −19.7% |
| 2021 | 17.20 | −24.7% |
| 2020 | 22.84 | +32.3% |
| 2019 | 17.27 | −7.5% |
| 2018 | 18.67 | −21.6% |
| 2017 | 23.81 | −1% |
| 2016 | 24.05 | −2.6% |
| 2015Peak | 24.69 | — |
Regional context
Whey Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Ukraine 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 declined further in 2018 to 18.67 thousand tonnes and reached 17.27 thousand tonnes in 2019. In 2020, output recovered moderately to 22.84 thousand tonnes, but production decreased again to 17.20 thousand tonnes in 2021. The downward trend continued, with production reaching 13.81 thousand tonnes in 2022 and slightly increasing to 13.90 thousand tonnes in 2023. Ukraine’s whey industry is closely associated with cheese production and dairy processing activities, where whey serves as an important by-product for food ingredients, animal feed, and protein-based applications. The decline in production reflects structural challenges, including reduced dairy processing volumes and modernization requirements within the industry. However, Ukraine possesses significant agricultural resources and has opportunities to strengthen whey production through improved dairy infrastructure, advanced processing technologies, and increased investment in value-added whey products. The growing global demand for whey protein ingredients presents opportunities for Ukrainian producers to expand their market presence. Overall, Ukraine’s whey sector remains an important component of its dairy industry, with future growth dependent on technological advancement, supply chain improvements, and recovery of domestic dairy production capacity. Strengthening cooperation with international dairy markets and improving processing efficiency could support future recovery and enhance Ukraine’s competitiveness in whey-based ingredient production.
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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.
Ukraine Whey Production was 13.90 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 0.6% on 2022.
Ukraine Whey Production moved from 24.69 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 13.90 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−43.7%), an average of −6.9% a year. The series high was 24.69 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 13.81 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
The highest value was 24.69 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 13.81 Thousand Tonnes in 2022.
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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