Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentinian market for butter, dairy spreads and milk fats showed notable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume contracted to 53 884 t in 2019 but then embarked on a strong expansion, climbing to 77 191 t by 2021.

This growth was supported by a steady rise in domestic production, which increased from 66 792 t to a peak of 96 514 t in 2022. Concurrently, export volumes grew substantially, from 5 719 t to 23 945 t over the period, which moderated the net volume remaining for domestic consumption.

After 2021, the market volume entered a phase of stabilization, settling at 71 351 t in 2023. In value terms, the market mirrored this pattern, reaching $381 million in 2022 before adjusting to $323 million the following year.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

In Argentina, 79 027 tonnes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats were produced in 2020, marking an 18.5% year-on-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 29.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 9.1%. The smallest change occurred in 2019, with a slight decline of 0.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Argentina was valued at 315.0 million US dollars, showing a gradual decrease of 5.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 8.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.8%. The largest drop was in 2018 at 6.7%, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2019 at 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

Argentina's cross-border shipments of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 18 650 tonnes, representing a dramatic rise of 42.4% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 346.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 64.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the dominant partner for Argentina's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in kind, accounting for 73.2% of total flows, while other markets contributed to a long tail.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Argentina's deliveries of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 74 335 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial increase of 13.1% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 215.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Brazil concentrated the majority of Argentina's exports in value terms for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, while other markets formed a less significant perimeter.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2017-2020

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

Argentina's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 55 tonnes, corresponding to an 82.6% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 92.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 57.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in kind were largely oriented towards Uruguay, which held a 92.8% share of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Argentina's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, Argentina imported a total of 241 thousand US dollars of these products, representing an 85.0% loss versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 93.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -60.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the market structure was highly concentrated, with Uruguay alone responsible for 92.1% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2017-2020