Estonia: Packaged Milk Shortages Despite Record Domestic Production

Estonian retailers have reported shortages of milk sold in plastic bags, although dairy farmers say there is no general shortage of raw milk.

Rimi has experienced disruptions in deliveries of its Smart-branded milk. The retailer was told that a change in cattle feed had temporarily affected milk production, but farmers interviewed by ERR questioned that explanation.

Industry representatives point instead to stronger competition for raw milk, negotiations over supply contracts and processors’ interest in higher-value dairy products.

The supply problems come despite substantial domestic production. Estonia produced a record 969,000 tonnes of milk in 2025, while output in the second quarter of 2026 reached 244,600 tonnes, broadly unchanged from a year earlier.

The disruptions illustrate how the availability of a basic consumer product may depend on processing and commercial arrangements even when overall agricultural production remains strong. The immediate cause of the shortages has not been conclusively established.

Sources: ERR, 8 November | Statistics Estonia