The commercialization of the Azores’ principal dairy products reached €426.59 million in 2025, up from €422.18 million in 2024 — an increase of €4.41 million, or 1.04 percent. The figures, released by the Azores Regional Statistics Service (SREA), are drawn from fourth-quarter data with cumulative totals for the year. The agency notes that 2024 numbers are final, while 2025 figures remain preliminary.

By destination, mainland Portugal continued to serve as the primary market, accounting for €326.62 million in 2025, compared with €326.92 million the previous year — a slight decline of €302,000 (-0.09%). The Autonomous Region of the Azores saw domestic sales rise to €42.47 million (2024: €40.76 million), an increase of €1.71 million (+4.19%). Exports to the European Union climbed to €44.00 million (2024: €42.61 million), up €1.39 million (+3.26%), while third-country markets posted the strongest relative growth, reaching €8.64 million (2024: €7.23 million), a gain of €1.41 million (+19.52%). The Autonomous Region of Madeira also recorded growth, rising to €4.86 million (2024: €4.66 million), up €204,000 (+4.37%).

Cheese once again led all dairy categories by value, totaling €204.31 million in 2025, compared with €197.93 million in 2024 — an increase of €6.37 million (+3.22%). Mainland Portugal absorbed €176.40 million of that total (2024: €171.24 million). The Azores accounted for €19.57 million (2024: €18.72 million), followed by third countries at €3.98 million (2024: €3.71 million), Madeira at €2.29 million (unchanged from 2024), and the European Union at €2.05 million (2024: €1.97 million).

Milk ranked second in overall value, reaching €81.58 million in 2025, up from €76.69 million in 2024 — a €4.89 million increase (+6.37%). Mainland Portugal saw notable growth, rising to €62.63 million (2024: €57.10 million). By contrast, sales within the Azores declined slightly to €13.45 million (2024: €13.93 million). The European Union accounted for €3.62 million (2024: €3.66 million), Madeira for €1.22 million (2024: €1.28 million), and third countries for €664,000 (2024: €714,000).

Butter moved in the opposite direction, declining to €69.21 million in 2025 from €71.79 million in 2024 — a drop of €2.58 million (-3.59%). The contraction was driven largely by mainland Portugal (€54.04 million, down from €56.23 million) and the European Union (€8.34 million, down from €9.10 million). Sales within the Azores rose modestly to €5.90 million (2024: €5.63 million), as did Madeira to €774,000 (2024: €669,000), while third-country markets remained essentially stable at €166,000.

Powdered milk posted the steepest overall decline, falling to €59.58 million in 2025 from €64.45 million in 2024 — a decrease of €4.87 million (-7.56%). Mainland Portugal saw the sharpest drop, to €29.50 million (2024: €37.74 million). That contraction was partially offset by growth in the European Union, which rose to €24.99 million (2024: €23.82 million), as well as in third countries (€3.59 million, up from €2.51 million) and within the Azores (€1.27 million, up from €255,000). Madeira also recorded growth, reaching €230,000 (2024: €120,000).

Whey sales increased to €9.90 million (2024: €9.32 million), a gain of €580,000 (+6.22%). The European Union rose significantly to €5.00 million (2024: €4.06 million), while third-country exports nearly doubled to €237,000 (2024: €123,000). Mainland Portugal declined to €3.89 million (2024: €4.44 million). The Azores increased to €765,000 (2024: €694,000), and Madeira remained marginal at €4,800.

Among smaller categories, yogurt sales totaled €1.08 million (2024: €1.06 million), with €628,000 in the Azores (2024: €649,000), €345,000 in Madeira (2024: €290,000), and €105,000 in mainland Portugal (2024: €118,000). No yogurt sales were recorded in the European Union or third-country markets.

Cream rose to €527,000 (2024: €510,000), almost entirely within the Azores (€523,000). Mainland Portugal accounted for €3,200, with no recorded sales elsewhere.

In the “other” dairy products category, total sales declined slightly to €410,000 (2024: €426,000). Of that amount, €369,000 was generated within the Azores, €41,000 in mainland Portugal, and €500 in Madeira. No sales were registered in the European Union or third countries.

Overall, the 2025 figures reflect modest but steady growth in the Azorean dairy sector, driven primarily by gains in cheese and milk and by expanding export markets beyond mainland Portugal, even as butter and powdered milk faced headwinds in traditional destinations.

In Diário dos Açores-Paulo Viveiros-director

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.