Proteinhype und El-Niño-Effekt: Milchprodukte könnten bald teurer werden

Milk, yogurt, and quark prices could soon rise again due to several factors, according to the Milk Industry Association (MIV). The association stated that significant price increases for milk products are urgently necessary. Initial talks for the upcoming contract negotiations on the so-called White Line (which includes milk, yogurt, quark, and similar fresh products) have already begun, the association said.

They did not provide specific figures for ongoing negotiations. The milk price is currently about a quarter lower than in the previous year, reaching a five-year low. Multiple factors contribute to rising prices: milk and milk product sales have been very strong both in Germany and internationally. The summer drought in Germany and Europe has also sharply reduced milk deliveries regionally.

Many experts predict a significant weakening of worldwide milk supplies due to a strong El Niño effect in the tropical Pacific, which can cause droughts in important milk-export regions. The global milk market has significant weight for Germany's dairy industry, with 49 percent of the milk products produced domestically being exported.

This directly affects the German milk price. Butter prices have already begun to rise again after a severe price drop in late 2025, which sometimes pushed butter below one euro per 250-gram pack and led to protests from farmer associations. Supermarkets and discounters increased the price of their private-label packs in mid-September by 14 cents to 1.19 euros.

Sales of cheese, milk powder, and protein products are also on the rise. Protein demand is also playing a role, says Kerstin Keunecke from the Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI). Milk protein concentrates are currently in high demand. Their production requires milk protein concentrates, which are scarce and expensive. Milk, the liquid byproduct of cheese production, is in short supply and highly priced.

Dairy farmers are pushing for a share of the expected price rebound. The German Farmers' Association calls for milk price recoveries to be passed on to producers promptly, as fertilizer, energy, and fuel costs continue to heavily burden businesses. The Vice-President of the Farmers' Association and Milk President, Karsten Schmal, stressed that the impending price recovery in milk should be delivered to producers promptly, as fertilizer, energy, and fuel costs continue to heavily burden businesses.