Iran: Lactose Market 2025

Lactose Market Size in Iran

The Iranian lactose market totaled $X in 2022, with an increase of 3.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, posted a resilient expansion. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Lactose Exports

Exports from Iran

In 2022, shipments abroad of lactose and lactose syrup decreased by -28.5% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 172% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined markedly in the following year.

In value terms, lactose exports shrank slightly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 185% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

Kuwait (X tons) was the main destination for lactose exports from Iran, accounting for a 68% share of total exports. Moreover, lactose exports to Kuwait exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Azerbaijan (X tons), fivefold. China (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Kuwait totaled +107.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Azerbaijan (+19.2% per year) and China (+38.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for lactose and lactose syrup exports from Iran, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kuwait ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by Azerbaijan, with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China stood at +55.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Kuwait (+80.1% per year) and Azerbaijan (+27.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average lactose export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 36% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average export price increased by 112%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Kuwait ($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 (+11.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lactose Imports

Imports into Iran

In 2022, supplies from abroad of lactose and lactose syrup decreased by -8% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 90% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lactose imports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 140%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of lactose imports to Iran, together comprising 45% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +24.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) appeared to be the largest lactose suppliers to Iran, with a combined 47% share of total imports. Italy, India, France and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 12%.

In terms of the main suppliers, India, with a CAGR of +21.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average lactose import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a perceptible descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 39% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+1.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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