Whey market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The whey market volume in Argentina stood at 17 803 tonnes in 2018, a year when raw milk prices nearly doubled, raising production costs for dairy processors. Volume edged up to 18 135 tonnes in 2019, then surged by 50% to 27 244 tonnes in 2020.

Growth continued in 2021, with the market reaching 35 636 tonnes. This expansion was driven by rising consumer awareness of healthy diets and increasing demand for sports nutrition, especially among young adults and gym users. Large dairy companies also showed interest in collaborating with small and medium enterprises to add value to whey. However, in 2022, volume dropped sharply to 25 492 tonnes as high production costs and adverse weather conditions restrained milk output, despite the ongoing fitness culture boosting whey protein demand.

A modest recovery to 26 105 tonnes occurred in 2023, even though national milk production fell by 2% and inflation exceeded 200%, pressuring the entire dairy value chain. Raw milk prices soared, affecting costs, but the input-output ratio for milk improved relative to grains. In 2024, consumer purchasing power weakened, leading to notable declines in sales of value-added dairy products like flavored milk and soft cheeses, although no specific regulatory changes for whey were reported.

Production whey in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina ranked 18th globally in whey production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

In 2020, Argentina produced 68 K t of whey, marking a 4.8% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 2.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 7.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Whey production in Argentina rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 97 229 K $ US, an 11.7% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 22.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 73 790 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 6.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 17.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports whey from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

Argentina's whey export volume fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 41 323 t, down 13.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 20.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Brazil, and Russia were the primary destinations for Argentina's whey exports in kind, accounting for 37.6%, 31.2%, and 9.7% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 78.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Argentina's whey exports were valued at 58 840 K $ US, reflecting a gradual decline of 7.6% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.3%, with an annualized rate of 3.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 55 008 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, China, and Russia were the key partners for Argentina's whey exports in value terms, with shares of 32.0%, 29.9%, and 11.0%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 73.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports whey to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

Argentina's whey imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 283 t, a 57.5% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 38.2%, with an annualized decline of 14.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 725 t, which also saw the largest increase of 58.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark were the main sources for Argentina's whey imports in kind, together accounting for 72.1% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Argentina's whey imports amounted to 1 259 K $ US, a decrease of 52.5% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 651 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 137.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark were the key partners for Argentina's whey imports in value terms, with shares of 36.9%, 33.6%, and 13.8%, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 84.4% of total import flows.

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

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