Lactose and lactose syrup market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. lactose market expanded in 2019 as production increased to 559 thousand tons, supported by rising demand from the food and pharmaceutical industries for dairy derivatives and fortified products. The market's volume peaked at 587 thousand tons that year, reflecting steady consumption trends. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, leading to a contraction in production to 510 thousand tons and a market volume decline to 538 thousand tons.

Following the pandemic shock, production stabilized near 511 thousand tons in 2021 as the market adjusted, while investments in new dairy processing capacity laid groundwork for future supply. In 2022, market volume declined to 520 thousand tons. This was influenced by a voluntary recall of infant formula by Abbott Nutrition over bacterial safety concerns, which dampened demand in a key segment, alongside a growing consumer shift toward low-lactose alternatives.

Market volume rebounded to 553 thousand tons in 2023, driven primarily by a surge in imports which more than doubled to 62 thousand tons. This increase occurred alongside continued expansion in the pharmaceutical industry, where lactose is used as an excipient, and rising consumer interest in products with clean-label positioning, sustaining overall demand.

Production lactose and lactose syrup in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lactose and lactose syrup, 2017-2020

World map of production of lactose and lactose syrup, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, lactose and lactose syrup production in the Americas declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 558.7 thousand tonnes, marking a 6.0% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 510.1 thousand tonnes, representing an 8.7% decrease compared to 2019.

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

Exports lactose and lactose syrup from Americas

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a 5.5-fold difference between these years. In 2019, exports experienced their largest decline of 43.7%. By 2020, cross-border shipments of lactose and lactose syrup from the Americas totaled 8,970 tonnes, reflecting a sharp increase of 367.5% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, lactose and lactose syrup from the Americas was traded with numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—China, Japan, and India—together accounted for only 29.3% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Exports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2019, exports saw their largest decline of 34.7%, reaching a minimum value of 2.9 million US dollars. By 2020, shipments from the Americas to abroad registered 10.2 million US dollars, up by 246.7% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, lactose and lactose syrup from the Americas was supplied to many different markets. The largest destinations—Japan, China, and India—together represented only 29.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports lactose and lactose syrup to Americas

Imports in kind, t

Foreign lactose and lactose syrup supplies to the Americas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point at 28,247 tonnes, marking the largest decline of 44.5% during the period. Over 2017-2020, imports decreased by 27.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.1%. By 2020, the Americas imported approximately 36,989 tonnes, reflecting a notable increase of 22.6% versus the previous year.

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

An analysis of imports in volume from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. The Netherlands (11.4% of imports in volume), Germany (8.6%), and New Zealand (4.1%) together accounted for only 24.1% of total flows, with the remaining 75.9% coming from other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2018, import value reached its minimum at 112.5 million US dollars. The following year, 2019, saw the largest increase of 13.4%, with imports peaking at 127.6 million US dollars. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 9.2%, with a CAGR of 3.0%. By 2020, the Americas' lactose and lactose syrup import volume amounted to 122.8 million US dollars, corresponding to a modest decline of 3.7% over the past year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of imports in value terms was highly diversified. The Netherlands (13.3% of imports in value), Germany (11.1%), and New Zealand (5.6%) together accounted for only 30.1% of total flows, while the remaining 69.9% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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