U.S.: Lactose Market 2024

Lactose Market Size in the U.S.

In 2022, the U.S. lactose market decreased by -40% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, consumption recorded a abrupt decrease. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lactose Production in the U.S.

In value terms, lactose production totaled $X in 2022. Overall, production, however, recorded a slight downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 15% against the previous year. Lactose production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Lactose Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2022, shipments abroad of lactose and lactose syrup increased by 16% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lactose exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for lactose exports from the United States, with a 26% share of total exports. Moreover, lactose exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, New Zealand (X tons), twofold. Japan (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to China amounted to +6.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: New Zealand (+2.6% per year) and Japan (+4.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($X), New Zealand ($X) and Japan ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for lactose exported from the United States worldwide, with a combined 49% share of total exports. Mexico, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, South Africa and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +4.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average lactose export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 5.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were Brazil ($X per ton) and New Zealand ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Japan ($X per ton) and Vietnam ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Africa (-2.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Lactose Imports

Imports into the U.S.

In 2022, approx. X tons of lactose and lactose syrup were imported into the United States; with an increase of 10% on the previous year's figure. Overall, imports, however, recorded a pronounced downturn. Imports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lactose imports amounted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +78.2% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 55%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of lactose to the United States, with a 65% share of total imports. Moreover, lactose imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (X tons), threefold. New Zealand (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 3.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Germany was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+6.4% per year) and New Zealand (+1.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest lactose suppliers to the United States were Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and New Zealand ($X), with a combined 96% share of total imports.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +14.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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, rising by 4.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 47% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was New Zealand ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+13.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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