Whey market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The whey market in South America, led by Brazil, started its upward trajectory in 2018 when established dairy players like Piracanjuba launched whey protein products, broadening availability and stimulating initial demand. Imports rose the following year to supplement domestic supply, while a heightened consumer focus on health and functional nutrition drove a 34% surge in market volume to 85 thousand tons in 2020.

Market growth extended into 2021, with reported domestic consumption increasing 25% over the 2021‑2023 period, lifting volume to 87.7 thousand tons. The market stabilized around 87 thousand tons in 2022, supported by a 176% rise in imports over the preceding four years which countered a temporary dip in local production. This period also saw significant investment in local capacity, marked by the 2022 inauguration of the Whey do Brasil plant with a daily processing capacity of 1.2 million liters of whey.

In 2023, the market volume contracted by 12% to 76.4 thousand tons, and its value declined to 128.2 million US dollars. This adjustment followed several years of rapid expansion, even as the underlying fitness and sports nutrition segment remained active.

Production whey in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

In 2020, South America produced 97 K t of whey, marking a 5.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 10.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.9%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, at 5.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's whey production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 109.4 M $ US, up 8.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3.2%, with an average annual rate of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 95.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 15.7%.

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

Exports whey from South America

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, South America's whey exports declined. In 2020, exports reached 77 443 t, down 8.4% from the previous year. The peak was in 2019 at 84 575 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South America's whey exports in kind were distributed across a wide range of partners. China accounted for 32.1% of exports, Russia for 7.6%, and the Philippines for 6.4%, together making up 46.1% of total flows. The remaining 53.9% went to numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, South America exported 87 435 K $ US of whey, a gradual reduction of 5.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.5%, with an annualized rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 82 154 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 15.9%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South America's whey exports in value terms relied on a diverse set of partner countries. China represented 27.8% of exports, Russia 8.9%, and the Philippines 5.8%, together accounting for 42.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports whey to South America

Imports in kind, t

South America's whey imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 65 633 t, reflecting a 17.6% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 39.4%, with an annualized rate of 11.7%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that South America's whey imports in kind were not concentrated on a few key sources. The United States accounted for 20.5% of imports, France for 6.2%, and Czechia for 2.6%, jointly making up 29.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

South America's whey imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 77 453 K $ US, a modest gain of 4.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 18.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 55 788 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 14.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 33.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South America's whey imports in value terms were spread across a wide set of partner countries. The United States accounted for 13.9% of imports, France for 8.3%, and Denmark for 2.5%, together representing 24.6% of total flows.

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

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