Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Bolivia showed relative stability from 2018 to 2022, fluctuating between 2 935 and 3 008 tons. Underlying this trend was a steady rise in domestic production, which grew from 2 958 tons to 3 122 tons over the period. Trade flows varied, with imports and exports both experiencing notable shifts, particularly a sharp increase in exports by 2023.

Production growth was supported by the presence of major dairy processors, including PIL Andina, EBA, DELIZIA, LA PURITA, and SOALPRO, concentrated in the Santa Cruz and Cochabamba regions. Their ongoing investments in quality and capacity helped sustain output levels. The export performance of the dairy sector strengthened, with reported recoveries in overseas sales contributing to trade dynamics.

In 2023, the market volume declined to 2 889 tons. This drop was primarily driven by a substantial rise in exports, which reached 508 tons that year, outweighing the concurrent growth in production. The increased outward shipment reflected the sector's strengthened export orientation, as noted in industry reports for 2022 and 2023.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Bolivia

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 2020, Bolivia produced 3 034 tonnes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, representing a 4.0% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 918 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.3%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 90.1 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats volumes exported from Bolivia totaled 189.5 tonnes, up by 91.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 60.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of exports in kind was heavily dependent on Peru, which accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports from Bolivia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 991 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp rise of 33.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 31.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 676 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 53.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Peru dominated the country structure of exports in value terms, with a share of 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

Butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into Bolivia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 138.1 tonnes, showing an uptick of 18.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 81.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 22.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay concentrated most of imports in kind, taking 86.9% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats into Bolivia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Bolivia imported 706 thousand US dollars of these products, up by 118.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 332%, equating to an annualized rate of 62.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was dominated by Paraguay, which accounted for 71.3% of total flows, while other destinations were relatively small.

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

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