Whey market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The whey market in the Americas showed fluctuating volumes from 2018 to 2021. In physical terms, it declined from 626.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 584.5 thousand tons in 2019, recovered to 624.7 thousand tons in 2020, and then dipped again to 595.7 thousand tons in 2021. The market value followed a different path, rising from $685 million in 2018 to $750 million in 2019, easing to $702 million in 2020, and climbing to $812 million in 2021.

A sharp expansion occurred in 2022, with market volume jumping to 797.8 thousand tons and value surging to $1 224 million. This growth was supported by investment in production infrastructure, such as the start of construction on Hilmar Cheese Company's large whey protein processing plant in Kansas, and sustained consumer demand fueled by widespread health and fitness trends across North America, where high obesity rates and growing participation in physical activities increased protein consumption.

Market volume continued to rise in 2023, reaching 884.5 thousand tons, while value stabilized at $1 244 million. The ongoing growth in volume was driven by the increasing adoption of whey protein in food and beverage applications, such as bakery and confectionery, and by the strong performance of the sports nutrition segment, where rising engagement in fitness programs in the U.S. and Canada maintained demand.

Production whey in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Whey production in the Americas declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 635 thousand tons of whey, which represents a 1.9% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.2%, translating to an average annual decline of 1.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of whey output in the Americas was 655.8 million US dollars, down 4.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 641.9 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 19.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 7.2%.

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

Exports whey from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

Whey export volumes from the Americas increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 131.2 thousand tons, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 7.1%, with a CAGR of 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of whey exports in kind was highly diversified. China accounted for 17.8% of exports, the Philippines for 6.1%, and South Korea for 5.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 29.6% of total flows, with the remaining 70.4% coming from a wide range of smaller markets.

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 value of whey exports from the Americas reached 135.5 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 7.8%, which corresponds to an average annual decrease of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 124.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 15.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, whey exports in value terms from the Americas were spread across many countries. China accounted for 19.0% of exports, the Philippines for 5.9%, and Russia for 5.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 30.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports whey to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes hit a low in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Americas imported 120.6 thousand tons of whey, marking a sharp increase of 79.5% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 67.2 thousand tons, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 68.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for whey imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. France accounted for 2.7% of imports, Australia for 1.4%, and Czechia for 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 5.0% of total flows, with the remaining 95.0% coming from many other countries.

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, the value of whey imports to the Americas reached 182.0 million US dollars, showing a gradual contraction of 9.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13%, which equates to an average annual decline of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 166.8 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 20.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 20.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, whey imports to the Americas were supplied to a broad set of markets. France accounted for 3.5% of imports in value terms, Denmark for 1.1%, and the Netherlands for 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 5.5% of total imports, with the remaining 94.5% coming from many smaller destinations.

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

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