Milk powder market in Honduras

Earlier Report Observations

The Honduran milk powder market opened the period with a sharp rise in volume to 13 485 t in 2018, driven by a government-authorized import quota of whole and skimmed milk powder to prevent domestic shortages. This measure, valid until the end of 2018, led to imports of 13 197 t, significantly exceeding the limited processing capacity of the country's sole powder plant operated by Lácteos de Honduras (Lacthosa). The subsequent year saw the market contract to 8 158 t as imports fell to 7 872 t following the expiry of that temporary import permit.

Market volume then stabilized around 8 800 t between 2020 and 2021, with annual imports hovering near 8 500 t and domestic powder production holding steady at approximately 290 t. This period saw no major disruptive events reported for the sector.

A significant shift occurred from 2022, when the market expanded sharply to 14 574 t, fueled by imports of 14 285 t. This surge was prompted by reported low domestic milk output, which increased prices and reliance on imported powder. That same year, new technical and sanitary regulations for dairy products were enacted. Growth continued into 2023, with the market reaching 15 642 t. By 2024, a 14% drop in national milk production further strained supply, leading to continued high import levels of 9 606 t, supported by new government-sanctioned import quotas under free trade agreements, while Lacthosa awaited certification to begin powder exports.

Production milk powder in Honduras

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk powder, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk powder, 2017-2020

In 2019, Honduras produced 285.8 tons of milk powder, marking the lowest output for the period. Production then increased by 1.9% year-over-year to reach 291.1 tons in 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 1.0%.

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

Exports milk powder from Honduras

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Honduras exported 2 tons of milk powder, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 82.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -44.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador and the United States were the primary destinations for Honduras' milk powder exports, together accounting for 98.5% of total shipments.

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

In 2020, Honduras exported milk powder worth 16 thousand US dollars, with minimal change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, El Salvador and the United States dominated the value-based export structure for milk powder from Honduras, jointly representing 97.5% of total export value.

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 powder to Honduras

Imports in kind, t

The data shows volatile market conditions with irregular changes. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Honduras imported 8 522 tons of milk powder, an 8.3% increase from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 13 197 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 40.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 252.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (60.8% of import volume), Costa Rica (9.7%), and New Zealand (9.3%) were the leading sources for milk powder imports into Honduras, together accounting for 79.8% of total import volume.

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

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.4-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Honduras imported milk powder worth 25 733 thousand US dollars, up 7.8% from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 30 883 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 22.7% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 142.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (45.7% of import value), Costa Rica (18.2%), and Nicaragua (12.5%) were the main suppliers of milk powder to Honduras in value terms, jointly representing 76.4% of total import value.

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

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