Market research

Whey market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The South African whey market volume grew sharply from 15 278 t in 2018 to 23 234 t in 2019, fueled by rising demand for whey protein in functional foods, sports nutrition, and infant formula. This expansion was abruptly reversed in 2020 when the market contracted to 18 341 t as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global cheese production and supply chains, leading to milk dumping and reduced whey availability.

Market volume stabilized near 18 000 t in 2021 despite global supply chain disruptions and significant price increases for whey protein, driven by strong demand in the functional foods sector. A modest recovery to 19 220 t followed in 2022, supported by flavor innovation and the launch of convenient single-serve sachets in the sports nutrition market. However, volume plunged to 12 257 t in 2023 as constrained supply from the previous year triggered price surges that curtailed consumption, particularly among lower-income groups.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production whey in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of whey, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of whey, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

In 2021, South Africa produced 2.9 K t of whey, marking a slight decrease of 1.9% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production declined by 38.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2.7 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 42.8%, while the most significant increase was in 2020, rising by 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(42.8%)	9.2%	(1.9%)	(15.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports whey from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2021, with a 6.4-fold difference between these years. In 2021, South Africa's whey exports reached 935 t, representing a dramatic increase of 129.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 147 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 44.2%, while the most significant increase was in 2020, surging by 177.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(44.2%)	177.4%	129.7%	52.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Eswatini were the main destinations for South Africa's whey exports in kind. Zimbabwe accounted for 48.5% of exports, Zambia for 21.2%, and Eswatini for 7.0%, together absorbing 76.7% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2021, with a 7.2-fold variation. In 2021, whey exports from South Africa amounted to 1 686 K $ US, showing an abrupt increase of 206.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 233 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 40.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(40.0%)	135.7%	206.8%	63.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Special Categories formed the primary group of destinations for South Africa's whey exports in value terms. Zimbabwe accounted for 41.8% of exports, Zambia for 17.9%, and Special Categories for 13.9%, together representing 73.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports whey to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 1.9-fold gap between these years. In 2021, South Africa's whey import volume amounted to 16 103 t, marking a small improvement of 2.0% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 20 674 t. The largest decline occurred in 2020, falling by 23.6%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 91.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	91.3%	(23.6%)	2.0%	14.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018 to 2021, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom played leading roles in South Africa's whey imports in kind. France accounted for 29.6% of imports, Poland for 14.0%, and the United Kingdom for 7.9%, together taking 51.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year uptick, whey imports into South Africa declined. In 2021, import volume came to 34 642 K $ US, marking a limited drop of 5.7% compared with 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 58.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 36 723 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 58.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	58.7%	6.0%	(5.7%)	16.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, France, Poland, and New Zealand remained the key directions for South Africa's whey imports in value terms. France accounted for 37.1% of imports, Poland for 7.3%, and New Zealand for 6.8%, together taking 51.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io