Milk powder market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Colombia's milk powder market volume grew from 68 588 t in 2018 to 99 278 t in 2020, largely due to a sharp increase in imports. In 2020, lower-priced foreign powder from the United States and South American countries entered the market, attracted by the price differential compared to domestic milk, which expanded total supply.

The market shrank to 86 581 t in 2021 after the U.S. tariff quota was exhausted early, constraining import flows. It rebounded to 100 012 t in 2022 as importers significantly increased purchases from the European Union and other South American suppliers, replacing some U.S. volumes. That same year, a regulatory change prohibited the use of milk powder in evaporated milk production, shifting demand within the industry. In 2023, the market declined to 94 955 t as per-capita consumption of milk and dairy products continued to fall, reducing domestic demand, while provisional countervailing duties were imposed on imports from the United States.

Production milk powder in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia ranked 26th globally in milk powder production volume.

Top producers of milk powder, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk powder, 2017-2020

Colombia's milk powder production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 45 372 tonnes of milk powder, marking a gradual 3.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Colombia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Colombia's milk powder production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 112.9 million US dollars, representing a 9.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 26.9%, with a negative CAGR of 9.9%.

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

Exports milk powder from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 394 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 9.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, milk powder exports from Colombia amounted to 1 249 tonnes, showing a sharp 217.4% year-on-year increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 88.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (47.3% of exports in volume), Venezuela (21.0%), and Ecuador (14.3%) were the leading destinations for Colombia's milk powder exports in kind, collectively accounting for 82.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Export values fluctuated significantly, with a 12-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019. In 2020, milk powder exports from Colombia totaled 3.1 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 177.5% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1.1 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 89.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia (40.3% of exports in value), Venezuela (21.5%), and Ecuador (20.2%) formed the primary group of destinations for Colombia's milk powder exports in monetary terms, together representing 82.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milk powder to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

Colombia's milk powder imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 55 155 tonnes, a 30.3% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 109.7%, with a CAGR of 28.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States (53.7% of imports in volume), Mexico (12.1%), and Bolivia (11.2%) were the main sources for milk powder imports to Colombia, jointly accounting for 76.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Colombia's milk powder imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 158.0 million US dollars, representing a 41.8% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 125.7%, equating to a 31.2% annualized growth rate. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 67.1 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 4.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 66.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (49.7% of imports in value), Mexico (15.1%), and Bolivia (13.2%) formed the main group of sources for milk powder imports to Colombia in monetary terms, with a combined share of 78.1% of total flows.

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

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