Yoghurt market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the South American yoghurt market displayed a pattern of stable, incremental growth. Volume increased from 12,645 t to 12,946 t over this four-year span, with the market essentially holding steady in 2020 before a slight uptick the following year.

A sharp departure from this trend occurred in 2022, as market volume jumped to 15,061 t, representing a significant expansion. This growth proved temporary, however, with the market contracting sharply in 2023 to a volume of 8,895 t.

Production yoghurt in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of yoghurt, 2017-2020

World map of production of yoghurt, 2017-2020

South America's yogurt production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 13.4 thousand tons of yogurt, marking a 3.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 11.6 thousand tons, when output declined by 6.4%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production rising by 11.6%.

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

Exports yoghurt from South America

Exports in kind, t

Yogurt exports from South America have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 2 051 tons of yogurt, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 5.5%. However, over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports actually decreased by 3.6%, averaging an annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 1 596 tons, which represented a significant drop of 25.0% that year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports climbing by 21.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographic distribution of South America's yogurt exports was highly diversified. The top three destinations—the United States (37.0% of export volume), Curaçao (1.9%), and Aruba (1.8%)—collectively accounted for just 40.8% of total exports. The remaining 59.2% was spread across numerous smaller trading partners.

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

The value of yogurt exports from South America has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export earnings reached 5 722 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong 15.0% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 366 thousand US dollars, when exports declined by 2.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States remained the primary market for South American yogurt in value terms, accounting for 54.7% of export earnings. Aruba (1.9%) and Panama (1.7%) were also significant buyers. Together, these three countries represented 58.3% of total export value during this period.

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 yoghurt to South America

Imports in kind, t

The import volume of yogurt into South America showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2017, while imports peaked in 2018, with a 2.6-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, imports totaled 1 565 tons, down 15.9% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 603 tons, which saw a dramatic increase of 162.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with imports falling by 28.5%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, yogurt imports into South America were sourced from a wide range of countries. The top three suppliers—the United States (7.9% of import volume), Germany (6.0%), and the Netherlands (5.0%)—collectively accounted for only 18.9% of total imports, indicating a highly fragmented market.

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

The value of yogurt imports into South America has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import spending totaled 3 154 thousand US dollars, down 22.5% from the prior year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 31.5%, averaging an annual decline of 11.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 108 thousand US dollars, when imports increased by 11.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of yogurt imports by value into South America was diversified. The top three sources—the United States (17.5% of import value), Germany (6.8%), and Spain (4.0%)—together accounted for just 28.4% of total imports, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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