Whey market in Oceania

Earlier Report Observations

The whey market in Oceania saw a gradual contraction from 2018 to 2021, with market volume declining from 123.3 thousand tonnes to 104.8 thousand tonnes. This period was marked by a significant drop in imports, which fell from 45.2 thousand tonnes to 17.8 thousand tonnes, while exports remained elevated. Production showed volatility but ended at 134.7 thousand tonnes in 2021, indicating a greater focus on external markets.

A sharp expansion occurred in 2022, when market volume surged to 134.1 thousand tonnes, driven by a production increase to 156.5 thousand tonnes and a reduction in exports. This growth aligns with the rising global demand for whey proteins, fueled by health and wellness trends in sports nutrition, infant formula, and clinical nutrition. However, in 2023 the market volume fell back to 101.5 thousand tonnes as production eased to 141.2 thousand tonnes and exports rose. Environmental policies limiting dairy herd sizes in parts of Oceania and higher energy costs likely constrained milk availability, directly affecting whey supply.

For 2024, trade data indicates a recovery in imports to 19.5 thousand tonnes and a decrease in exports to 44.3 thousand tonnes, pointing to a potential strengthening of domestic consumption. Major investments in processing capacity, such as Westland Milk Products' NZD 70 million lactoferrin plant in New Zealand, aim to capture value from specialized whey derivatives. The development of new segments like clear protein drinks and hydrolyzed whey products, responding to consumer demand for convenient and fast-absorbing nutrition, continues to stimulate innovation in the regional market.

Production whey in Oceania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

In 2020, Oceania produced 126 K t of whey, showing little change from 2019. Production decreased by 3.1% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decline of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 126 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 133 K t. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019 at 5.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Oceania's whey production increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching a value of 232.4 M $ US, up 15.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 186.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 16.4%.

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

Exports whey from Oceania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Oceania exported 47 393 t of whey, marking a modest increase of 8.6% compared to the previous year. However, exports decreased by 6.3% overall between 2017 and 2020, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 43 632 t, while the highest was in 2018 at 54 729 t. The largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2019 at 20.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia were the key destinations for Oceania's whey exports in kind, accounting for 23.8%, 16.6%, and 16.6% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 57.0% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of contraction, Oceania's whey export value increased in 2020, totaling 87.3 M $ US, a steep rise of 25.7% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 69.5 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 11.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia were the principal destinations for Oceania's whey exports in value terms, accounting for 22.3%, 18.5%, and 12.0% of total exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries made up 52.8% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports whey to Oceania

Imports in kind, t

Oceania's whey imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 34 243 t, a decrease of 1.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 13.5%, averaging an annual decline of 4.7%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 45 211 t. The largest year-on-year decrease was in 2019 at 23.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United States, and Germany were the main sources of whey imports to Oceania in kind, accounting for 24.6%, 20.5%, and 12.5% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 57.6% of all import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Oceania's whey import value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching approximately 119.0 M $ US, down 2.3% from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 30.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 133.6 M $ US. The largest year-on-year decrease was in 2019 at 8.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 46.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Austria, and France were the primary suppliers of whey to Oceania in value terms, accounting for 21.7%, 18.6%, and 14.4% of total imports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries made up 54.7% of all import flows.

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

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