Whey market in China

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, China's whey market volume was characterized by high import dependency, reaching 568.6 thousand tons in 2018. This reflected weak domestic processing capacity, while state policies like the 'Opinions on Promoting Dairy Revitalization and Ensuring Dairy Quality and Safety' encouraged optimizing dairy product structures and supported dry dairy products including whey, boosting demand. The market size fell to 465.3 thousand tons in 2019 as imports declined, even as domestic production gradually increased amid industry-wide expansion of dairy herds and farm construction.

The market rebounded to 637.7 thousand tons in 2020 and peaked at 734.4 thousand tons in 2021, fueled by a continuing milk price upturn, producer optimism, and active farm expansion. Strong demand for whey, particularly in infant formula, drove a 25% surge in imports in 2021. However, dairy overproduction led to a correction in 2022, with the market shrinking to 615.8 thousand tons as capacity‑reduction policies and the exit of some small farms affected supply, while high feed costs also constrained growth.

In 2023, the market grew again to 673.4 thousand tons as whey imports resumed their upward trend despite persistent milk oversupply and low prices. Government initiatives, such as the 'Notice on Carrying out the Task of Improving Desalted Whey Product Supply Capacity,' accelerated localization efforts to reduce import reliance. Consumer preferences shifted toward high‑quality and specialized whey products like whey protein, stimulating market segmentation. By 2024, adjustments in milk supply and falling feed prices set the stage for potential stabilization, while ongoing policy support for the dairy industry and whey localization continued to shape the market's trajectory.

Production whey in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Whey production in China has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, China produced 15.6 K t of whey, marking a modest 7.0% improvement compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.0%.

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

Exports whey from China

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports from China reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 32.9% decline, before rebounding in 2020 to 0.4 K t, a 142.6% increase compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports varied by a factor of 2.7 between their peak and trough.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of whey from China were Singapore (40.5% of exports in kind), North Korea (33.0% of exports in kind), and Estonia (10.8% of exports in kind). Together, these three countries accounted for 84.3% of China's total whey exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports in value terms hit a low in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at 0.8 M $ US, representing a 206.8% increase. In 2019, exports fell by 52.8%, but recovered in 2020 to 0.5 M $ US, up 49.8% from 2019. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 3.1 between 2017 and 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of whey from China in value terms were Singapore (44.9% of exports), Italy (19.8% of exports), and North Korea (19.3% of exports). Collectively, these three countries made up 84.0% of China's total whey exports in value.

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

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

Imports whey to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's whey imports saw a significant uptick in 2020, reaching 622.5 K t, which is a 38.1% increase compared to 2019. The lowest point was in 2019 at 450.9 K t, with an 18.7% decline that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 18.1%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of whey to China in kind were the United States (44.6% of imports), France (10.7% of imports), and the Netherlands (8.4% of imports). Together, these three countries represented 63.7% of China's total whey imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, China's whey imports increased in 2020, totaling 810.1 M $ US, a 35.7% rise from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 596.8 M $ US, following a 5.0% decrease in 2018. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 23.7%, with a CAGR of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key suppliers of whey to China in value terms were the United States (30.3% of imports), France (16.0% of imports), and the Netherlands (9.8% of imports). These three countries together accounted for 56.1% of China's total whey imports in value.

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

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