Milk Industry Association warns of rising dairy product prices

dairy industry milk prices El Niño effect food inflation agricultural drought

The Milk Industry Association (MIV) has stated that significant price increases for dairy products, including milk, yogurt, and quark, are “urgently necessary.” Contract negotiations for the so-called “White Line” of fresh products have already commenced.

Several factors are driving this potential price hike. Currently, milk prices are at a five-year low, approximately 25% below last year's levels. However, strong domestic and international demand, combined with supply shortages, is shifting the market. Regional summer droughts in Germany and Europe have significantly reduced milk deliveries, while the El Niño effect in the tropical Pacific is expected to cause droughts in major global dairy export regions, further dampening worldwide supply.

Additionally, a surge in demand for protein products is increasing the need for whey concentrates. While butter prices have already begun to rise following a sharp decline in late 2025, the industry expects these broader trends to impact a wider range of dairy goods soon. Because 49% of German-produced dairy products are exported, global market developments directly influence domestic pricing.

Entities

Bundesverband des Deutschen Lebensmittelhandels · Deutscher Bauernverband · Federal Association of the German Food Trade · Germany · Milchindustrie-Verband · Milk Industry Association

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] The Milk Industry Association (MIV) stated that significant price increases for dairy products are urgently necessary. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de
[● 5 SOURCES] According to the Federal Association of the German Food Trade (BVLH), 49% of dairy products produced in Germany are exported. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de
[● 2 SOURCES] Supermarkets and discounters increased the price of private-label butter packs by 14 cents to 1.19 euros in mid-September. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de
[● 5 SOURCES] Experts anticipate a significant reduction in global milk supplies due to the El Niño effect in the tropical Pacific. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de
[● 5 SOURCES] Current milk prices are approximately 25% lower than in the previous year, reaching a five-year low. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de
[● 5 SOURCES] Contract negotiations for the 'White Line' (drinking milk, yogurt, quark, and similar fresh products) have already begun. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de