Total dairy packaging volumes fell by 1% to 37 billion units in the US in 2024. While butter and spreads remained stable, and cheese recorded positive growth in its packaging unit volumes, all the other main categories within dairy were declining in this year. The US dairy industry had a reduced herd size in 2024, with 41,000 fewer cows and 14,000 fewer replacement heifers. A packaging shortage in late 2023, triggered by the closure of Pactiv Evergreen’s paper mill, disrupted the supply of schoo

In 2024, total packaging retail volumes grew by 4% to 13.8 billion units in Vietnam. This increase in dairy packaging unit volume was driven by the expansion of leading player Vinamilk and TH True Milk. Number one player Vinamilk has expanded its product portfolio across various categories, including fresh milk, powder milk, yoghurt, condensed milk and plant-based alternatives. Concurrently, the company has invested in advanced production technologies and updated its packaging to align with its

The increase in dairy packaging in Ukraine by 6% to reach 2.4 billion units in 2024 was primarily due to a significant rise in dairy exports compared to a year earlier. This export growth was driven by a global shortage of milk fats and rising prices for butter and other dairy commodities, which made Ukrainian dairy products, particularly butter, cheese and condensed milk, more competitive in international markets. Consequently, Ukrainian producers had to increase and modernise their packaging t

Total dairy packaging volumes increased by 8% to 8.6 billion units in 2024. Turkey remains a significant player in the global dairy industry, driven by its established livestock herd and robust domestic demand. Recent government efforts, particularly the 2024-2028 Livestock Roadmap, aim to promote sustainable growth, enhance milk productivity and elevate product standards. Although dairy exports have declined, recovery efforts are underway, including strategies to boost exports through product d

Total dairy packaging unit volumes increased by 4% to reach 2.3 billion units in 2024, mainly due to population growth, rising health awareness and the expansion of modern retail and e-commerce. As urbanisation increases, demand for convenient packaged dairy products has grown. Health-conscious consumers are seeking a broader range of dairy options, including low-fat and probiotic products, which necessitate specialised packaging. The expansion of supermarkets and online shopping platforms, such

In 2024, Switzerland recorded a decline in total dairy packaging volumes, which fell slightly to 2.6 billion units. This downturn was attributed to several factors, including supply chain challenges, shifting consumer behaviour and increasing competition from plant-based alternatives. Manufacturers were forced to reduce or optimise packaging due to rising material and energy costs, as well as shortages of plastics and glass, resulting in falling total packaging volumes.

In 2024, total dairy packaging volumes in Thailand increased by 4% to reach 6.5 billion units, reflecting the continued rise in demand for convenient, on-the-go dairy products driven by urbanisation and fast-paced lifestyles. The growth was particularly evident in packaging formats like thin wall plastic containers and HDPE bottles, which are predominantly used for yoghurt, the largest category in dairy packaging. The expansion of the dairy industry, supported by strong distribution networks thr

Total dairy packaging retail volumes in Spain rose marginally in 2024 to reach 14 billion units, driven primarily by robust domestic milk production, particularly from regions such as Galicia, and sustained consumer demand for dairy products. The popularity of packaged formats for milk, cheese, and yoghurt persisted due to their extended shelf life and suitability for Spain's warm climate. Supermarkets like Mercadona and Carrefour expanded their dairy offerings, while pack sizes adapted to meet

Total dairy packaging retail volumes in Sweden rose by 1% in 2024 to reach 2.1 billion units. This performance marks a rebound following several years of decline, indicating a gradual recovery aligned with broader trends in the dairy industry. This upward trend is being driven by increased dairy production and domestic consumption. Furthermore, consumer interest in sustainable packaging and convenient, portable sizes is also contributing to this growth. These factors collectively point to renewe

In 2024, total dairy packaging retail volumes in South Korea declined by 2% to reach 5.5 billion units, a trend reflective of broader shifts in consumption patterns and demographic challenges. The sharp decrease in milk consumption, particularly among younger demographics, was a key factor driving this decline. South Korea's record-low birth rate and rapidly shrinking youth population have resulted in fewer traditional high-volume milk consumers, namely school-age children and adolescents, direc

Total dairy packaging retail volumes in Singapore experienced a marginal decline in 2024, perpetuating a gradual downward trend that commenced in 2021. This reduction was primarily attributable to shifting consumption patterns and a more cautious consumer approach towards dairy products, likely influenced by evolving dietary preferences and heightened awareness regarding health and sustainability. Furthermore, the dairy industry is encountering intensified competition from plant-based alternativ

In 2024, total dairy packaging retail volumes in South Africa declined by 2% to reach 3.4 billion units. The country's dairy packaging landscape has undergone significant changes in response to the broader challenges affecting the industry. As the number of dairy producers has decreased, particularly among small-scale and emerging farmers, packaging strategies have been increasingly influenced by the needs of larger, more industrialised operations. These producers have favoured cost-effective, l

Total dairy packaging retail volumes in Romania fell by 1% in 2024, falling to 1.9 billion units. A significant factor in this performance was the drop in overall dairy consumption, as Polish citizens reduced their intake of traditional dairy products due to health concerns, the rising popularity of plant-based alternatives, or shifting dietary preferences. Categories such as drinking milk products and yoghurt, which typically rely on high-volume rigid plastic and carton packaging, were particul

In 2024, total dairy packaging retail volumes in Saudi Arabia reached 3.0 billion units, representing a 3% increase from the previous year, driven by demographic expansion, shifting consumer preferences, and proactive government initiatives. The country's rising population and rapid urbanisation in major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam fuelled demand for conveniently packaged dairy products, including PET bottles and single-serve tubs, which cater to the fast-paced lifestyles of urban

In Poland, total dairy packaging retail volumes reached 9.1 billion units in 2024, representing 1% growth from 2023, primarily driven by a significant surge in milk production and export activities. The country's position as a leading milk producer in the EU was reinforced, with raw milk procurement increasing by a few percentage points compared to the previous year. This production growth was accompanied by a notable expansion in exports, as evidenced by the substantial increase in revenues fro

In 2024, total dairy packaging volumes in the Philippines reached 4.4 billion units, marking a 4% increase. This growth was primarily driven by a significant rise in domestic milk production during the first half of the year. The National Dairy Authority (NDA) played a crucial role in this development through its aggressive efforts to boost local milk supply, which included importing dairy cattle, expanding existing herd sizes, and establishing five new stock farms. These initiatives aimed to re

Total packaging retail volumes of dairy packaging in the Netherlands rose by 1% in 2024 to reach 4.8 billion units. The Dutch dairy packaging industry marked a turning point in 2024, recovering after two years of production pressures. This revival was underpinned by a combination of stabilising milk supply, improved livestock conditions, and renewed demand both domestically and for export. As production rebounded, packaging volumes correspondingly increased, driven by the need to support a broad

In Mexico, total dairy packaging retail volumes reached 12 billion units in 2024, representing a 2% increase, driven by growing consumer demand for convenient and sustainable packaging, advancements in packaging technology, and the rising popularity of e-commerce. According to data from the Mexican government and the US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service, moderating inflation and a slight increase in dairy production in 2024 resulted in higher demand for packaging. Major play

Total packaging retail volumes of dairy packaging in Italy experienced marginal growth in 2024, driven by evolving consumer demands and industry innovations. Brands from Lactalis, including Galbani, Parmalat, Ambrosi and Leerdammer, played a crucial role in this expansion, supported by the company's substantial investment in modernising its Italian operations. This investment enabled the adoption of diverse packaging formats, such as flexible plastic pouches for cheese, shaped liquid cartons for

In 2024, total packaging retail volumes of dairy packaging declined by 4%, falling to 17 billion units. This downturn was driven by structural challenges in Japan's domestic dairy production and stricter regulatory requirements. The number of dairy farmers in Japan fell below 10,000 for the first time, as rising costs of feed, energy, and equipment, compounded by a weak yen and low profitability, led to industry exits. The contraction in local milk production reduced the supply of dairy products

In 2024, total dairy packaging retail volumes in Indonesia experienced significant growth of 7%, reaching 15 billion units. This upward trend was driven by the robust expansion of milk processing capacity and increasing consumer demand. As of May 2024, the country's milk processing capacity had reached 4.64 million tonnes annually, supported by substantial industry investments totalling IDR23.4 trillion and 88 active processing plants. The growth in milk processing was characterised by the incre

In 2024, total dairy packaging retail volumes in Malaysia declined by 5% to 1.2 billion units, driven by a combination of demographic, economic, and behavioural factors. According to data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the country's live birth rate plummeted by 10% to 100,732 in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 112,197 in the same period the previous year. This significant drop reduced demand for baby-related dairy products and their associated packaging. Furthermore, the ris

In 2024, total dairy packaging retail volumes in Germany experienced a slight increase, reaching 26 billion units. German consumer habits, sustainability efforts, and retail developments drove continued growth in this mature category. German consumers maintained a strong cultural affinity for dairy products, with cheese, yoghurt, and milk remaining essential components of their daily diet. Meanwhile, the expansion of online grocery shopping enabled consumers to purchase daily essentials more con

Total dairy packaging retail volumes in India rose by 5% in 2024, reaching 62 billion units. This growth can be attributed to rising urbanisation, shifting consumer preferences, increasing health awareness, and regulatory actions. As urban populations expand and lifestyles become busier, there has been a notable shift towards convenient, ready-to-consume dairy products, and this continued in 2024. Consequently, demand for single-serve Tetra packs, stand-up pouches, and tamper-evident PET bottles