Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Argentina showed notable volatility between 2018 and 2020. Volume reached 136.8 thousand tons in 2019, while the dairy sector saw the emergence and growth of plant-based milk alternatives with new market entrants, adding a new dynamic to the overall dairy landscape. Market volume then contracted to 116.6 thousand tons in 2020 as this trend continued.

A sharp peak occurred in 2021, with market volume surging to 166.5 thousand tons. The subsequent year brought a steep decline to 103.2 thousand tons, partly driven by increased consumer sales of other dairy products like cream and dulce de leche, which shifted demand away from concentrated milk. By 2023, the market saw a moderate recovery to 112.6 thousand tons, but economic pressures including input inflation, exchange controls, and low profitability weighed on milk production and domestic consumption. Regulatory advances, such as the implementation of front-of-package labeling for products high in sugars, also began influencing consumer behavior.

In 2024, economic factors continued to suppress milk production and internal consumption, though a partial reversal in sales trends was noted. Ongoing modifications to the Argentine Food Code clarified standards for dairy beverages, while the dairy industry remained concentrated, with a handful of major firms processing a significant share of the national milk supply.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina maintained the 21st position globally in terms of production volume for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream.

Top producers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

In 2020, Argentina produced 283.1 K t of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, representing a 13.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 35%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.2%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 19.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Argentina's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 833.9 M $ US, showing a solid 13.5% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 28%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.6%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Argentina

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Argentina's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream amounted to 167.2 K t, marking a 45.1% year-over-year uptick. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 83.8%, with an annualized rate of 22.5%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 19.7%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018 at 57.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Algeria and Brazil were the key partner countries for exports in kind, together accounting for 83.1% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Argentina exported 492.4 M $ US worth of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, reflecting a steep 45.1% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 74.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 17.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria and Brazil served as the dominant destinations for exports in value terms, jointly capturing 82.8% of total flows, while other markets accounted for the rest.

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

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

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Argentina

Imports in kind, K t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 0.7 K t, after peaking in 2019 at 2.6 K t, resulting in a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports fell dramatically by 73.9% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 81.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay (40.1% of imports in kind), Chile (36.3%), and Brazil (9.8%) were the principal sources for imports in kind, together accounting for 86.2% of total flows.

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, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports hit their lowest in 2020 at 1.7 M $ US, following a peak in 2019 at 7.9 M $ US, with a 4.5-fold amplitude between these years. In 2020, imports contracted sharply by 78.0% compared to 2019. The largest increase was in 2019 at 134.2%.

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

In 2017-2020, Uruguay (51.0% of imports in value terms), Chile (24.5%), and Brazil (8.5%) consistently remained the main destinations for imports in value terms, together making up 84.0% of total flows.

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

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