Lactose and lactose syrup market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The lactose and lactose syrup market in Northern America saw its volume rise to 559 thousand tons in 2019 before contracting to 501.3 thousand tons in 2020. This initial growth period was followed by a multi-year decline in market size.

From 2021 to 2023, the market volume continued to decrease, falling to 490.5 thousand tons. This trend was driven by an abrupt curtailment of consumption in the U.S. market. Industry consolidation, including Saputo's plans to close some regional facilities and transfer operations, further contributed to the contraction in production and market volume during this period.

In 2024, production of lactose and lactose syrup decreased, coinciding with significant strategic shifts. Major investments were directed toward lactose-free dairy production, such as Danone's $150 million investment in new enzyme treatment technology and Organic Valley's capacity expansion. Simultaneously, regulatory updates from the FDA, including amendments to nutrition facts labeling and definitions for added sugars, began to reshape market requirements for dairy ingredients.

Production lactose and lactose syrup in Northern America

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

Northern America's production of lactose and lactose syrup declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 557.5 thousand tonnes, marking a 6.0% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 508.9 thousand tonnes, representing an 8.7% decrease compared to 2019.

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

Exports lactose and lactose syrup from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

The export market for lactose and lactose syrup from Northern America showed significant volatility during the observed period. Exports bottomed out in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 20-fold difference between these years. In 2019, exports experienced their largest decline of 33.2%. By 2020, export volumes had surged to 8 225 tonnes, a dramatic 512.2% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Japan, and India were the leading destinations for lactose and lactose syrup exports from Northern America. China accounted for 19.1% of exports in kind, Japan for 17.8%, and India for 17.1%. Together, these three countries represented 53.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of lactose and lactose syrup exports from Northern America followed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 13.1-fold increase between these years. In 2019, exports saw their largest decline of 11.4%. By 2020, export value had risen sharply to 8 431 thousand US dollars, a 393.1% increase compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan, China, and India were the top buyers of lactose and lactose syrup from Northern America in value terms. Japan contributed 17.8% of export value, China 15.6%, and India 14.5%. However, their combined share was only 47.9% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure with many other markets playing significant roles.

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

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

Imports lactose and lactose syrup to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of lactose and lactose syrup into Northern America exhibited considerable instability from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 412 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 2 803 tonnes, reflecting a 6.8-fold gap. In 2019, imports recorded their largest increase of 580.8%. By 2020, imports had dropped sharply to 585 tonnes, a steep 79.1% decline year-over-year.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Germany, India, and the Netherlands were the main sources for lactose and lactose syrup imports into Northern America in kind. Germany accounted for 3.8% of imports, India for 0.6%, and the Netherlands for 0.5%. Together, these three countries represented just 4.9% of total import flows, highlighting a highly fragmented market.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of lactose and lactose syrup imports into Northern America declined. In 2018, imports recorded their largest increase of 34.4%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 13 563 thousand US dollars. By 2020, import value had fallen to 10 481 thousand US dollars, a strong 22.7% decrease relative to the prior year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 11.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for lactose and lactose syrup imports into Northern America in value terms was highly diverse. Germany accounted for 8.1% of import value, India for 1.8%, and Japan for 1.7%. Together, these three countries formed only 11.6% of total flows, with the remaining 88.4% supplied by many other countries, underscoring a broad and varied import structure.

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

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