Whey market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Asian whey market volume stood at 1 163 тыс. т, supported by ongoing research into new applications, such as fermented beverages and functional food ingredients, aimed at adding value to a former dairy by-product. Market volume then dipped to 1 035 тыс. т in 2019. A recovery followed in 2020, with volume rising to 1 240 тыс. т, driven by the commercial launch in Thailand of ready-to-drink whey protein beverages using retort sterilization technology for ambient shelf life, catering to growing consumer interest in convenient, health-oriented products.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 accelerated a global focus on health and nutrition, boosting demand for whey protein as a high-quality protein source and pushing market volume to a peak of 1 407 тыс. т. In 2022, volume contracted to 1 312 тыс. т, coinciding with the tightening of food safety regulations and labeling requirements in Thailand, which affected production and distribution processes. By 2023, the market stabilized and saw a modest increase to 1 334 тыс. т, supported by the expansion of whey protein product varieties and flavors across Southeast Asia, fueled by fitness trends and social media promotion.

Production whey in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Asia's whey production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 108 K t of whey, representing a 9.7% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 33.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 75 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 7.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 30.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Asia's whey production value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 118.5 M $ US, showing a notable rise of 10.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 29.1%, translating to an annualized rate of 8.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 74.5 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 18.9%. Meanwhile, 2019 posted the highest increase at 43.6%.

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

Exports whey from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Asia's whey export volumes have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 78 K t, marking a 25.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 49.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 51 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, whey exports from Asia were distributed across numerous markets. Egypt accounted for 17.9% of exports in kind, Algeria for 3.4%, and Togo for 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 23.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Asia's whey export value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 85 M $ US, up by 26.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 44.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 50 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 15.2%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 35.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, whey exports from Asia in value terms were spread across a wide range of markets. Egypt contributed 12.5% of exports in value terms, Algeria 2.9%, and Morocco 1.1%. Combined, these three markets accounted for just 16.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports whey to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Asia's whey imports saw a robust increase in 2020, reaching approximately 1 209 K t, which represents a 21.1% year-over-year growth. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 10.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 999 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading source for whey imports to Asia, accounting for 33.6% of imports in kind. France followed with 13.5%, and Poland with 7.7%. Together, these three countries represented 54.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Asia's whey import value rebounded in 2020, standing at 1 566 M $ US. This marks a strong improvement of 21.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 11.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 287 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 6.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States was the primary market for whey imports to Asia in value terms, representing 25.2% of imports. France accounted for 16.1%, and Germany for 8.8%. Collectively, these three markets made up 50.1% of total import flows.

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

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