Europe
In 2024, the cream market in Europe experienced significant price increases, primarily due to tight supply conditions. The region faced reduced milk production, which led to a constrained cream supply. At the same time, demand remained strong, especially in industries like butter production and other dairy products, further exacerbating the supply-demand imbalance.
As the year progressed, the scarcity of fresh dairy liquids, along with higher costs for cream, led to sustained price hikes. This trend was also influenced by logistical disruptions, making it difficult to secure consistent supply, which in turn kept prices elevated throughout the year.
North America
In North America, the cream market saw a somewhat more fluctuating price pattern. While there was a noticeable uptick in prices due to production challenges, particularly during the mid-year, the market was less volatile than in Europe. Disruptions such as hurricanes and labour shortages impacted supply, but consistent demand from industries such as ice cream production and confectionery helped stabilize the market. Cream prices, though higher than the previous year, didn’t experience the same level of escalation as in Europe, with the market eventually finding some balance towards the latter half of the year.