Milk market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the milk market volume in the Americas grew from 192.2 to 199.5 million tonnes. This expansion was supported by increased production and consumption in Argentina, where currency stability and improved dollar prices encouraged output. The global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted logistics and demand, but the market continued to grow as higher production costs in Brazil were offset by gains in other regions.

Between 2021 and 2022, production costs rose sharply due to the Russia-Ukraine war, which affected global dairy trade and pushed international milk prices to record highs. In Brazil, high domestic prices during the off-season reduced consumption, but increased imports helped maintain market volume, which stabilized around 202 million tonnes. The war also led to higher feed and energy costs, squeezing producer profitability across the region.

In 2023, market volume edged up to 202.6 million tonnes, though the value fell by 12% to $672.1 billion due to lower prices. Production in Brazil stagnated around 34 billion liters, impacted by imports and the off-season, while Mexico saw a 1.7% output increase. Lower Chinese demand and El Niño weather patterns added uncertainty, with imports into Brazil keeping per capita supply high.

Production milk in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Milk production in the Americas has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 199.0 million tonnes of milk, marking a modest gain of 2.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Milk production value in the Americas has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 662.7 billion US dollars, representing a significant increase of 17.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 28.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 507.0 billion US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports milk from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

Exported milk volumes from the Americas have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 468.1 thousand tonnes, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 9.9%, with an annualized rate of decline of 3.4%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 596.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, milk exports in kind from the Americas were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Algeria accounted for 19.2% of exports, China for 2.6%, and Russia for 2.4%, with these three countries together representing only 24.3% of total flows.

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

In 2020, the Americas exported milk worth 1 559 million US dollars, which is 14.1% more than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 10.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 366 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.1%. The highest value was in 2018 at 1 572 million US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for milk exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Algeria represented 24.9% of exports, Russia 3.1%, and China 2.9%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 30.9% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 69.1%.

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

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

Imports milk to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

Milk imports to the Americas have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 924.9 thousand tonnes, showing a substantial rise of 57.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 42.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 559.0 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, milk imports in kind to the Americas were not concentrated on a few key markets. New Zealand accounted for 5.2% of imports, Germany for 3.0%, and the Netherlands for 2.9%, with these three countries jointly representing only 11.1% of total flows.

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 2020, foreign milk supplies to the Americas totaled 2 479 million US dollars, marking an 11.7% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 12.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, milk imports in value terms to the Americas were spread across many countries. New Zealand accounted for 7.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 3.5%, and Germany for 2.0%, with these three countries jointly representing only 13.1% of total flows.

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

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