Μake us preferred on Google About €2 billion will flow into the coffers of Greek cheese and dairy companies of every size during 2026, from exports alone. This is an unprecedented event, unique in the industry’s history, and it’s due entirely to the huge success that cheese exports, led by feta, and yogurt are achieving in international markets.
Dairy Products Are Soaring
Especially in the case of yogurt, according to data from the Panhellenic Exporters Association, industry business owners can hardly believe what’s happening: in the first half of the year, the value of yogurt exports is running at 37.9% growth. Perhaps one of the most striking facts is that the third-largest buyer of Greek yogurt is the Dutch market.
In the case of cheese products, which according to current market estimates are expected to reach nearly €1.2 billion in export turnover this year, there’s a very interesting development underway.
Feta as “Ambassador”
Greek cheese companies, with feta as their “ambassador,” have managed to export a wide range of cheese products from Greece’s rich production, to the point that feta now accounts for only about 50% of total cheese exports.
According to data from the Panhellenic Exporters Association, cheese product exports in the first half of 2026 reached €589 million, up from €538.4 million in 2025, an increase of 9.3%. In terms of volume, 75,055 tons were exported in the first half of the year, compared to 69,851 tons previously.
Based on current estimates, roughly 50% of that figure comes from feta exports, with the remaining 50% coming from other cheese products.
Notably, cheese product exports now rank fifth among the 100 most important export products in the world. In the same period, yogurt exports reached €362 million, up from €262.3 million a year earlier, an increase of 37.9%. Export volume for yogurt also rose sharply, reaching 157,100 tons in the first half of the year compared to 114,344 tons last year.
How Much Milk Sells for at Dairy Plants
Dairy companies are currently paying farmers 53 cents per kilo for milk, which, according to industry sources, is the highest price in the European Union after Cyprus. This is driven by a significant rise in production costs for livestock farms, including animal feed and energy.
While export figures look impressive, the livestock farming sector is facing real challenges. Market sources tell OT that sheep pox has wiped out many livestock operations, and restocking in the sheep farming sector is still lagging.
This delay, they explain, is because Greece has not yet been declared “sheep pox free,” and under EU regulations, restocking of affected farms isn’t permitted. In practical terms, this means feta production will fall by about 10,000 tons this year. To maintain their foreign markets, companies in the sector may divert supply away from the domestic market if needed. Meanwhile, the producer price for sheep’s milk has risen, now ranging between €1.60 and €1.70 per kilo, a trend that could lead to further price increases down the line.
Source: ot.gr
