Casein market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, casein production and market volume in South America declined, with the most pronounced drop in 2020 when global supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic affected availability.

The market rebounded in 2021, with production reaching 13 586 t and market volume growing to 15 855 t, driven by a reported 15% increase in casein use in food applications and investments by leading companies to expand production capacity. In 2022, production saw a modest decline while the market volume stabilized at 15 730 t, as global factors including the war in Ukraine impacted raw material prices and production costs, alongside sustained demand from the sports nutrition segment.

A sharp contraction followed in 2023, with production falling to 7 812 t and market volume dropping to 11 410 t.

Production casein in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of casein, 2017-2020

World map of production of casein, 2017-2020

South America's casein production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 10 527 tonnes of casein, marking a 7.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 26.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of decline, South America's casein production value rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 81 136 thousand US dollars, representing a 15.8% year-on-year increase. However, between 2017 and 2020, the overall production value decreased by 13.3%, averaging a 4.6% annual drop. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 70 064 thousand US dollars, with the sharpest decline occurring in 2018 at 23.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports casein from South America

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 4 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 929-fold difference between these years. In 2020, casein volumes exported from South America stood at 21 tonnes, down 26.5% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 99.9%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 577.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant destination for casein exports from South America in volume terms, accounting for 75.0% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values hit a low in 2018 at 25 thousand US dollars and a high in 2017, varying 1 056 times between these years. In 2020, South America's casein export value was recorded at 165 thousand US dollars, showing a modest drop of 8.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 99.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 623.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States remained the leading buyer of casein from South America in value terms, with 74.7% of total exports. The remainder was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports casein to South America

Imports in kind, t

Casein imports into South America have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 2 506 tonnes, up 6.4% from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 64.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand (41.3% of imports in volume), France (13.0%), and Ireland (9.3%) consistently held the top positions in the import structure for casein in kind. Together, they accounted for 63.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Casein imports into South America have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, South America imported casein valued at 13 877 thousand US dollars, showing an 18.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 47.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 877 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 1.8% and the biggest increase in 2019 at 26.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand (38.6% of imports in value), France (13.2%), and Ireland (9.2%) remained the leading sources in the import structure for casein in value terms, with a combined share of 61.0% of total flows.

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

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