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Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices, Demand and Supply Overview
The United States paid the most for dairy food preparations in Q3 2026: USD 5,300/MT, up 1.4% from USD 5,227/MT in Q2. High labor costs and steady demand from food service and bakery makers keep American prices above the other three markets. Worldwide, the average rose 1.4% to USD 4,500/MT from USD 4,440/MT, mostly because higher dairy ingredient and energy costs and firm demand from food makers led producers to raise prices in all four markets. What about Q4 2026? We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 4,390-4,750/MT range, with butter, milk powder and whey prices, energy costs and demand from bakery, confectionery and food service buyers doing most of the work.
Dairy food preparations are processed food products made mainly from milk ingredients, such as milk powders, whey, butter and cheese, blended with other ingredients. They include dairy-based fillings, spreads, sauces, dessert mixes and infant food bases. Prices in this report refer to dairy-based preparations for food makers in bulk and are quoted per metric ton. They depend on dairy ingredient prices, energy costs and demand from food makers.
Producers blend dairy ingredients with sugar, fats, starch and flavors, and then heat, homogenize and pack the mix. Poland, the Netherlands, Germany and the United States are large producers. Contracts often link prices to butter, milk powder and whey quotations, with a margin for processing. Customs classifications treat many such products under their own tariff lines, which affects trade.
Food Preparations (Dairy) Price Forecast for 2026
Prices should rise modestly through the rest of 2026. Dairy ingredient and energy costs are firm and demand from bakery and food service buyers is steady. Large dairy capacity in Poland limits the size of the increase. A year ago the global average was USD 4,315/MT, and the latest quarter, at USD 4,500/MT, is 4.3% higher.
For Q4, risks to the price are evenly spread. What could push prices higher? Higher butter, milk powder or whey prices, higher energy costs or stronger demand from food service would lift prices. What could pull them lower? Lower dairy ingredient prices, larger supplies or weaker demand from bakery makers would lower prices.
| Region | 2026 Price Range (USD/MT) | Outlook |
| Global Average | 4,390 - 4,750 | Firm dairy ingredient costs support a modest rise |
| Poland | 3,610 - 3,905 | Large dairy capacity keeps prices lowest |
| Netherlands | 4,190 - 4,535 | Strong export demand supports prices |
| Germany | 4,580 - 4,960 | High energy costs support prices |
| United States | 5,170 - 5,590 | High costs and strong demand keep prices highest |
For the Quarter Ending September 2026
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices Q3 2026:
- Poland: USD 3,700/MT
- Netherlands: USD 4,300/MT
- Germany: USD 4,700/MT
- United States: USD 5,300/MT
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in Poland
The Q3 2026 average for Poland stood at USD 3,700/MT, an increase of 1.5% on the USD 3,645/MT recorded in Q2. Polish prices rose as the demand from food makers improved. This represents a 4.8% increase on the USD 3,531/MT recorded in Q3 2025. The gap to the four-market average of USD 4,500/MT was 17.8% below for Poland.
Why did the price of Food Preparations (Dairy) change in Q3 2026 in Poland?
Poland rose. Demand from food makers improved, dairy ingredient costs increased, and producers raised prices. The cumulative 2026 change for Poland is a 3.6% increase, from USD 3,573/MT to USD 3,700/MT, while the global average shows a 3.2% gain over the same period. For comparison, the global average moved 1.4% higher over the same quarter.
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in Netherlands
The Netherlands registered a 1.3% increase in Q3 2026, taking the average to USD 4,300/MT from USD 4,245/MT in Q2. Dutch prices rose as the demand from export buyers improved. The year-on-year change is a 4.1% increase, from USD 4,129/MT in Q3 2025. Relative to the four-market average of USD 4,500/MT, the Netherlands traded 4.4% below in Q3 2026.
Why did the price of Food Preparations (Dairy) change in Q3 2026 in Netherlands?
The Netherlands rose. Demand from export buyers improved, dairy ingredient costs increased, and producers raised offers. At USD 4,300/MT, the Netherlands is 3.1% higher than in Q4 2025, when the average was USD 4,169/MT, and the global average is 3.2% higher over the same period. The global average shifted 1.4% higher in the same quarter.
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in Germany
Germany gained 1.2% to USD 4,700/MT in Q3 2026, from USD 4,644/MT in Q2. German prices rose as the demand from bakery and confectionery makers improved. The Q3 2026 average is 3.8% above the USD 4,527/MT recorded in Q3 2025. This places Germany 4.4% above the four-market average of USD 4,500/MT for Q3 2026.
Why did the price of Food Preparations (Dairy) change in Q3 2026 in Germany?
Germany rose. Demand from bakery and confectionery makers improved, dairy ingredient costs increased, and producers raised prices. This leaves Germany 2.8% higher than at the end of 2025, when the average was USD 4,571/MT, while the global average is 3.2% higher over the same period. Across the four markets the average was 1.4% higher on the quarter.
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in United States
In Q3 2026, the average price in the United States rose 1.4% to USD 5,300/MT, compared with USD 5,227/MT in Q2. American prices rose as the demand from food service and bakery makers improved. Compared with Q3 2025, when the United States averaged USD 5,073/MT, the current price is 4.5% higher. Against the four-market average of USD 4,500/MT, the United States stood 17.8% above in the quarter.
Why did the price of Food Preparations (Dairy) change in Q3 2026 in United States?
The United States rose. Demand from food service and bakery makers improved, dairy ingredient costs increased, and producers raised prices. From USD 5,134/MT at the close of 2025 to USD 5,300/MT in Q3 2026, the price in the United States has risen 3.2%, and the global average has risen 3.2%. On the global measure the average was 1.4% higher over the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending June 2026
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices Q2 2026:
- Poland: USD 3,645/MT
- Netherlands: USD 4,245/MT
- Germany: USD 4,644/MT
- United States: USD 5,227/MT
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in Poland
In Q2 2026, the average price in Poland rose 1.1% to USD 3,645/MT, compared with USD 3,606/MT in Q1. Polish prices rose as the demand from food makers strengthened. The Q2 2025 average of USD 3,463/MT puts the current price 5.3% above its level a year earlier. In comparison with the average of USD 4,440/MT across the four markets, the price in Poland was 17.9% lower.
Why did the price of Food Preparations (Dairy) change in Q2 2026 in Poland?
Poland rose. Demand from food makers strengthened, dairy ingredient costs went up, and producers lifted prices. The 0.9% gain in Q1 set the base, and Q2 finished 5.3% above the USD 3,463/MT recorded a year earlier. Q3 added to the change, with the price at USD 3,700/MT. On the global measure the average was 1.0% higher over the quarter.
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in Netherlands
The Netherlands' average moved up 1.0% in Q2 2026, to USD 4,245/MT from USD 4,203/MT in Q1. Dutch prices rose as the demand from export buyers strengthened. Year on year, the average is 4.4% higher, against USD 4,065/MT in Q2 2025. The Netherlands ended the quarter 4.4% below the group average of USD 4,440/MT.
Why did the price of Food Preparations (Dairy) change in Q2 2026 in Netherlands?
The Netherlands rose. Demand from export buyers strengthened, energy costs went up, and producers lifted offers. This followed a 0.8% gain in Q1 and left the Netherlands 4.4% above its Q2 2025 average of USD 4,065/MT. The move then extended in Q3, taking the price to USD 4,300/MT. For comparison, the global average moved 1.0% higher over the same quarter.
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in Germany
Prices in Germany firmed 0.9% in Q2 2026 to USD 4,644/MT, compared with USD 4,603/MT in Q1. German prices rose as the demand from bakery makers strengthened. The current level is 4.2% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 4,457/MT. The price in Germany was 4.6% above the group average of USD 4,440/MT in Q2 2026.
Why did the price of Food Preparations (Dairy) change in Q2 2026 in Germany?
Germany rose. Demand from bakery makers strengthened, energy costs went up, and producers lifted prices. After a 0.7% gain in Q1, the quarter closed 4.2% above the USD 4,457/MT recorded in Q2 2025. The same direction continued in Q3, with the price reaching USD 4,700/MT. The global average shifted 1.0% higher in the same quarter.
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in United States
The United States recorded a 1.0% gain in Q2 2026, with the average reaching USD 5,227/MT against USD 5,175/MT in Q1. American prices rose as the demand from food service strengthened. A year earlier, in Q2 2025, the average stood at USD 4,975/MT, which makes the current price 5.1% higher. The gap to the four-market average of USD 4,440/MT was 17.7% above for the United States.
Why did the price of Food Preparations (Dairy) change in Q2 2026 in United States?
The United States rose. Demand from food service strengthened, labor costs went up, and producers lifted prices. This came on top of a 0.8% gain in Q1, and the average ended 5.1% above its level of a year earlier, when it stood at USD 4,975/MT. Q3 added to the change, with the price at USD 5,300/MT.
Quarterly Food Preparations (Dairy) Price Trends
Food Preparations (Dairy) prices rose through 2025 and the first half of 2026 and rose again in the third quarter in all four markets. The global average moved from USD 4,174/MT in Q1 2025 to 4,240 in Q2, 4,315 in Q3 and 4,362 in Q4, then 4,397 in Q1 2026, 4,440 in Q2 and 4,500 in Q3, a net gain of roughly 7.8% across the window. Higher dairy ingredient and energy costs and steady demand from food makers lifted prices for six quarters.
| Quarter | Price (USD/MT) | QoQ Change | Direction |
| Q3 2026 | 4,500 | +1.4% | ↑ Rising |
| Q2 2026 | 4,440 | +1.0% | ↑ Rising |
| Q1 2026 | 4,397 | +0.8% | ↑ Rising |
| Q4 2025 | 4,362 | +1.1% | ↑ Rising |
| Q3 2025 | 4,315 | - | - Stable |
| Q4 2026 | In Progress | - | - In Progress |
What was Food Preparations (Dairy) Price in 2025?
2025 was a year of gradual increases for dairy food preparations, with prices rising in each quarter in all four markets. Starting near USD 4,174/MT in Q1, the global average finished the year at 4,362 in Q4, a gain of about 4.5%. Higher dairy ingredient and energy costs and steady demand from food makers supported producers throughout the year.
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in Poland in 2025
In Poland, prices moved from about USD 3,403/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 3,573/MT by Q4, up roughly 5.0%. Polish prices rose gradually as dairy ingredient costs and demand from food makers increased. Since the 2025 close of USD 3,573/MT, the price in Poland has moved up 3.6%, reaching USD 3,700/MT in Q3 2026.
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in Netherlands in 2025
In the Netherlands, prices moved from about USD 4,009/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 4,169/MT by Q4, up roughly 4.0%. Dutch prices rose gradually as the energy costs and demand from export buyers increased. At USD 4,300/MT in Q3 2026, the Netherlands stands 3.1% above its Q4 2025 close. The same regional pattern is carried into the quarterly analysis above, where the quarter-by-quarter figures can be traced.
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in Germany in 2025
In Germany, prices moved from about USD 4,395/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 4,571/MT by Q4, up roughly 4.0%. German prices rose gradually as the energy costs and demand from bakery makers increased. The Q4 2025 close of USD 4,571/MT compares with USD 4,700/MT in Q3 2026, a 2.8% increase. The quarterly sections above show how the annual average developed over the year.
Food Preparations (Dairy) Prices in United States in 2025
In the United States, prices moved from about USD 4,890/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 5,134/MT by Q4, up roughly 5.0%. American prices rose gradually as the labor costs and demand from food service increased. Relative to the end of 2025, the price in the United States is 3.2% higher at USD 5,300/MT.
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We keep a continuous eye on dairy food preparations prices wherever it is produced or consumed at scale, tracing causation through butter, milk powder and whey prices, energy costs, packaging and demand from bakery, confectionery and food service buyers. Our forecasts draw on production data, trade flows, input cost trends and demand indicators across all reporting regions, so subscribers see why a price moved and not just that it did. Need pricing data, bespoke market analysis, or procurement advisory? Reach out to our team.
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Report
Fillings, spreads, sauces, dessert mixes and infant food bases.
In Q3 2026, it averaged USD 3,700/MT in Poland, USD 4,300/MT in the Netherlands, USD 4,700/MT in Germany, and USD 5,300/MT in the United States. The United States was the priciest market.
The global average went from USD 4,362/MT in Q4 2025 to 4,397 in Q1, 4,440 in Q2 and 4,500 in Q3, up 3.2% overall. Gradual increases through 2025 and early 2026 continued in the third quarter.
Higher dairy ingredient and energy costs and firm demand from food makers led producers to raise prices.
We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 4,390-4,750/MT range. Firm dairy ingredient costs and steady demand point to a modest rise.
The United States sits at the top and Poland at the bottom. The United States pays the most on high costs and strong demand, while Poland sits lowest on large dairy capacity.
Monthly. Need something more current? The Expert Market Research team is available directly.
Dairy ingredient prices, energy costs and demand from food makers drive the volatility.
Poland, the Netherlands, Germany and the United States lead supply of dairy food preparations.
Agree contracts with producers, link prices to dairy quotations and diversify between supply regions.
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