Finnish liquid milk consumption drops to 85 litres per person annually

Finnish consumption of liquid milk has fallen to an average of 85 litres per person per year, down from a peak of 379 litres in 1956, according to the latest figures from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).

The decline reflects shifting consumption habits, with Finns now eating more dairy than they drink. Cheese consumption alone exceeds liquid milk by nearly threefold, while demand for yoghurts and protein-rich dairy snacks continues to rise, Luke reports.

At Osuuskunta Maitomaa, a 110-year-old dairy cooperative in Suonenjoki, production has adapted to the trend. Technical director Veli-Matti Tuokkuri confirmed growing demand for processed products like quark and protein drinks, launched in 2024. “The typical consumer is an active 18–34-year-old,” he noted, adding that roughly 10 percent of Maitomaa’s output now goes to export markets.

Meanwhile, the number of Finnish dairy farms has halved in the past decade, even as average herd sizes grow. Luke data shows the typical farm now milks around 60 cows, with annual yields per cow nearing 9,700 litres. Mikko Heikkinen, a Lapinlahti farmer and chair of Valio’s board, remains optimistic despite the consolidation. His own operation—currently milking 135 cows—plans to expand production from 1.6 million to 2 million litres annually within two years, with construction of a new slurry tank underway.