Milk and cream market in Honduras

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for milk and cream in Honduras grew from 798.8 to 808.7 thousand tonnes. This expansion was primarily driven by the establishment and operation of milk collection and cooling centers (CREL), which were supported by producer organizations, the dairy industry, and U.S. government funding. These centers improved cold-chain logistics and secured better prices for producers, encouraging increased milk production and market supply.

Market volume stabilized around 809 thousand tonnes between 2021 and 2023, with a minor contraction to 808.2 thousand tonnes by 2023. During this period, in 2023, the Law for the Promotion and Protection of Breastfeeding was enacted, which included the creation of human milk banks in public institutions and workplaces. This legislation introduced a new element to the dairy landscape, potentially influencing consumer patterns and institutional demand for milk products.

In 2024, the sector contended with a sharp estimated drop in domestic milk production by 30-40% caused by severe drought, farmer migration to other crops, and land invasions. This shortfall led to increased authorized imports of powdered milk, cheese, and butter to meet domestic demand. Concurrently, the digitalization of CREL processes advanced to improve record-keeping and quality control, while stricter official sanitation regulations were enforced for dairy establishments.

Production milk and cream in Honduras

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Honduras saw milk and cream production rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 818.3 K t, which represents a modest 0.6% increase over the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Milk and cream production in Honduras grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 439.8 M $ US, showing a slight 3.0% rise from 2019. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 421.0 M $ US, which also saw the biggest drop of 3.1%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Honduras

Exports in kind, t

Honduras experienced a second straight year of declining milk and cream exports. In 2020, shipments fell to 13 350 t, a 5.2% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall grew by 18.8%, averaging 5.9% per year. The peak was in 2018 at 16 491 t, which also marked the largest increase of 46.8%, while 2019 saw the steepest decline of 14.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guatemala and El Salvador were the primary destinations for Honduras's milk and cream exports, together making up 92.1% of the total volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of milk and cream exports from Honduras dropped for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 7 175 K $ US, down 2.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 18.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 8 556 K $ US, which also had the largest rise of 41.7%, whereas 2019 recorded the biggest fall of 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala and El Salvador were the key markets for Honduras's milk and cream exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 92.4% of the total.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Honduras

Imports in kind, t

Milk and cream imports into Honduras declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3 810 t, a 2.0% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports rose by 29%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. The maximum volume was in 2018 at 3 920 t, which also saw the largest increase of 32.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Costa Rica dominated Honduras's milk and cream imports in volume, consistently representing 99.2% of the total.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Honduras's milk and cream imports were valued at 3 586 K $ US, up 0.8% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 3 733 K $ US, which also had the largest increase of 26.2%, while 2019 experienced the biggest decline of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Honduras's import market for milk and cream in value terms was highly concentrated, with Costa Rica alone responsible for 98.1% of total imports.

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

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