Milk market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

The Bolivian milk market volume showed variability from 2018 to 2020. Support from the state-run PROLECHE fund helped maintain production, but persistent commercialization and market access challenges for small producers contributed to a decline in market volume in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a sharp drop in dairy exports, increasing domestic availability and pushing market volume higher despite disruptions.

After a contraction in 2021 as higher exports and lower imports offset domestic output, the market expanded in 2022–2023. This growth was driven by a significant rise in national milk production, which reached 552.5 million liters in 2022, supported by mandatory price bands for raw milk that stabilized farmer incomes. By 2023, operational industrial plants in Cochabamba, Tarija, Oruro, and La Paz, alongside continued government promotion through PROLECHE and the new 'Leche para Crecer' fund, further strengthened production and consumption, lifting market volume to 633.8 thousand tons.

Production milk in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Bolivia's milk production increased after two years of decline. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 615.7 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.0% decrease. The following year, in 2020, production rose slightly to 619.8 thousand tonnes, representing a 0.7% increase compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Bolivia's milk production value declined. In 2019, it peaked at 2 060 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 14.1% occurring in 2018. In 2020, the value dropped slightly to 2 045 million US dollars, a 0.7% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 18.2%, averaging a 5.7% compound annual growth rate.

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

Exports milk from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

Bolivia's milk export volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 4 218 tonnes, with the largest decline of 37.3% recorded that year. By 2020, exports had risen sharply to 6 236 tonnes, a 28.2% increase from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia and Peru were the primary markets for Bolivia's milk exports in volume terms, together accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bolivia's milk export value increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, it reached its minimum at 13 390 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 28.1% that year. In 2020, exports rose to 20 578 thousand US dollars, a 26.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 10.6%, with a 3.4% compound annual growth rate.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Colombia and Peru continued to be the dominant destinations for Bolivia's milk exports in value terms, jointly representing 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milk to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

Bolivia's milk import volume surged in 2020. In 2019, imports were at their lowest at 8 154 tonnes, with the largest decline of 16.9% recorded that year. By 2020, imports had jumped dramatically to 10 974 tonnes, a 34.6% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 28.6%, averaging an 8.7% annualized rate.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru, Chile, and Uruguay were the main sources for Bolivia's milk imports in volume terms. Peru accounted for 45.2% of imports, Chile for 18.4%, and Uruguay for 11.1%, together making up 74.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Bolivia's milk import value saw significant growth in 2020. In 2019, the largest decline of 10.7% was recorded. By 2020, imports had increased to 20 893 thousand US dollars, up 36.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 37.3%, with an 11.1% compound annual growth rate.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Peru, Uruguay, and Brazil remained the key markets for Bolivia's milk imports in value terms. Peru represented 42.6% of imports, Uruguay 18.1%, and Brazil 7.4%, collectively accounting for 68.2% of total flows.

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

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