Brazil Breaks Record in Whey Export Amid Cheese Production Surge

Brazil has achieved a new milestone in whey exports, with the volume reaching unprecedented levels in 2024. The increased production of cheese has been a significant factor in this development. In 2011, only 30.8% of the milk received by inspected establishments was used for cheese production. By 2024, this figure had increased to 36.6%, which translates to 9.287 billion liters of milk dedicated to cheese making. Since producing one kilogram of cheese requires approximately 10 liters of milk and generates nine liters of whey, this has led to a substantial increase in whey availability.

The total availability of whey, considering both inspected and non-inspected milk and adjusted for international exchanges, grew from 9.253 billion liters in 2011 to 11.888 billion liters in 2024. Per capita, this represents an increase from 47 to 56 liters of whey per year, marking an 18.6% rise despite an 8.4% growth in Brazil's population from 196 million to 213 million people over the same period.

This surplus has been pivotal in transforming Brazil's commercial landscape. Historically, whey was regarded as a problematic byproduct due to its high organic load, making it difficult to dispose of. However, technological advancements such as UHT thermal treatment and spray drying, primarily in the southern and southeastern regions, have converted whey into a strategic raw material for producing protein ingredients, supplements, dairy beverages, and bakery products.

The reduction in imports, coupled with the record export levels, suggests that Brazil is not only improving its internal whey processing capabilities but is also beginning to compete in international markets. Although the traded volumes are minor compared to the country's total milk production, experts view this as an early sign of technological maturity, where productive efficiency starts translating into a positive trade balance.

Despite the progress, Brazil still faces a trade deficit in whey, which is unlikely to disappear shortly. Nevertheless, the gap between imports and exports has never been narrower. For an industry that only recently deliberated on how to handle excess whey, becoming a supplier, albeit on a modest scale, is already significant news.