Argentina: Lactose Market 2024

Lactose Market Size in Argentina

The Argentinian lactose market rose modestly to $X in 2022, increasing by 4.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a perceptible reduction. Lactose consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lactose Production in Argentina

In value terms, lactose production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a perceptible descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Lactose Exports

Exports from Argentina

In 2022, the amount of lactose and lactose syrup exported from Argentina dropped notably to X tons, which is down by -34% compared with the year before. In general, exports recorded a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 63% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, lactose exports contracted to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 66%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Uruguay (X tons) was the main destination for lactose exports from Argentina, accounting for a 77% share of total exports. Moreover, lactose exports to Uruguay exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Uruguay totaled +466.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+64.7% per year) and Brazil (-66.1% per year).

In value terms, Uruguay ($X) remains the key foreign market for lactose and lactose syrup exports from Argentina, comprising 78% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 21% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Uruguay totaled +409.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+67.9% per year) and Brazil (-65.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lactose export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 38% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible descent. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+2.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Lactose Imports

Imports into Argentina

In 2022, purchases abroad of lactose and lactose syrup decreased by -10.9% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 129% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lactose imports fell markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 134%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Australia (X tons), the United States (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of lactose imports to Argentina, with a combined 73% share of total imports. New Zealand, France and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by New Zealand (with a CAGR of +197.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lactose suppliers to Argentina were Australia ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and the United States ($X), with a combined 68% share of total imports. New Zealand, Germany and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

New Zealand, with a CAGR of +134.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average lactose import price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -9.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a slight curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 20%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+1.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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