Whey market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The whey market size in Canada grew from $29.3 million in 2018 to $33.7 million in 2019, then declined to $28.4 million in 2020. The provisional entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union in September 2017 increased cheese imports, which may have affected domestic dairy processing. Significant investments in Quebec's dairy sector, exceeding $520 million in farm buildings and equipment, supported production capacity. The implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in December 2018 further expanded market access for imported dairy products through tariff-rate quotas.

From 2021, the whey market rebounded strongly, reaching $37.8 million in 2021, $52.7 million in 2022, and $58.0 million in 2023. The ongoing impact of international trade agreements on dairy market access, with gradual implementation of tariff quotas over six years, influenced domestic market dynamics. The emergence of innovative dairy segments, including organic products adapted to new consumer preferences, contributed to market expansion. Stabilized input costs, particularly for animal feed due to a record U.S. harvest in 2023, lowered production expenses and supported whey output.

Over the full period, the whey market more than doubled in value. The milk quota increase to 410.43 million kg of milk fat in August 2024, reflecting strong demand for high-fat dairy products like cheese and butter, indicates robust underlying production that generates whey. Consumer preferences evolved toward organic and innovative dairy items, especially in Quebec, a leader in organic milk production. In 2024, whey imports rose to $68.8 million, while exports were $40.9 million, pointing to sustained domestic demand.

Production whey in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada was one of the world's leading producers of whey, ranking 21st globally by production volume.

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

In 2020, Canada produced 54 K t of whey, marking a slight decrease of 1.8% from the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 55 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, though it was minimal at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of whey production in Canada was 35 251 K $ US, reflecting a 10.3% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 33 794 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 18.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 16.3%.

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

Exports whey from Canada

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, whey exports from Canada reached 73 436 t, up by 14.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 14.9%, with a CAGR of 4.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, South Korea, and the Philippines formed the core of Canada's whey exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 59.2% of exports, South Korea for 9.2%, and the Philippines for 5.8%, together representing 74.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Whey exports from Canada increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 47 931 K $ US, a 4.5% advance from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 41 568 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 14.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 10.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, South Korea, and the Philippines remained the top destinations for Canada's whey exports in value terms. The United States held a 53.9% share, South Korea 9.1%, and the Philippines 6.2%, collectively accounting for 69.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports whey to Canada

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, whey imports into Canada amounted to 49 316 t, a 3.0% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 5.3%, with an annualized rate of -1.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 30 260 t, which also experienced the largest decline of 41.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 68.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States dominated Canada's whey imports in volume terms, consistently accounting for 92.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Whey imports into Canada rose for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 41 105 K $ US, a 2.0% increase year-over-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 38.8%, with an annualized rate of -15.1%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 37 089 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 44.8%. The largest increase was in 2019, at 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all whey imports into Canada in value terms were associated with the United States, which accounted for 92.8% of total flows.

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

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