European whey protein prices have split from the rest of the dairy protein complex. WPC 80 fell 18.5 percent over the past month on the Vesper Price Index, while MPC 85 rose 8.6 percent. Over twelve months both are still far higher, WPC 80 by 81.8 percent and MPC 85 by 104.5 percent.
A little more WPC 80 production came online in recent months, and buyers are holding off until more supply reaches the global market. Those who do buy are covering smaller volumes instead of whole quarters. On the milk protein side, buyers who moved out of whey have left barely any European MPC 85 offers for Q4, and the gap between the two products is narrowing from both directions.
Where WPC 80 settles decides the quarter for sports nutrition buyers. In our newly published EU Sports Nutrition Q4 2026 Market Outlook, our dairy analyst Jasper Endlich gives his view per product, next to our AI forecast for WPI, sweet whey powder, lactose and permeate.
Download the EU Sports Nutrition Q4 2026 Market Outlook
What our EU Sports Nutrition Q4 2026 Market Outlook answers
The report covers dairy protein, eggs, cocoa and nuts. For whey protein, it answers:
- Will whey protein prices keep falling in Q4 2026?
- What is the WPC 80 price forecast for 2027?
- Where is the floor under WPC 80 prices?
- Why are buyers switching from whey protein to milk protein concentrate?
- How far can MPC 85 prices run before buyers switch back to whey?
- Why is WPI falling less than WPC 80?
- Is whey protein demand still growing at today’s prices?
- At what price level will whey protein buyers return?
- Will sweet whey powder stay firm into Q4?
- What is the outlook for lactose and permeate prices in Europe?
- How far does Vesper’s AI forecast take WPI down by Q2 2027?
