Chilean Dairy Exports Surge in Early 2026 Led by Condensed Milk
Chilean dairy exports experienced significant growth in the first quarter of 2026, totaling 130.6 million liters equivalent, marking a 31.4% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This data, provided by Fedeleche, highlights a robust start for the Chilean dairy industry this year.
Condensed milk played a pivotal role in this growth, accounting for 31.8% of the total exports. The shipments of condensed milk reached 9,821.6 tonnes, showing a 14.9% year-on-year increase. The United States was the primary market for this product, absorbing 72.6% of the exports, followed by Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Honduras.
Whole milk powder (LPE) also demonstrated strong performance, making up 24% of total exports. Sales of LPE reached 7,165 tonnes, marking a substantial 77.4% growth from the previous year. Colombia was the leading importer of Chilean whole milk powder, with 59.7% of the exports, while Cuba and Guatemala also featured prominently among the destinations.
Gouda cheese maintained a positive export trajectory, representing 15.8% of the total exports with 2,434 tonnes exported, and a growth of 13.4%. Mexico was the largest importer, accounting for nearly 90% of the Chilean Gouda cheese purchases, with South Korea, Japan, and Peru also among the importers.
The segment of infant formula preparations showed a significant increase, with exports growing by 64.5% year-on-year, reaching 1,448.6 tonnes. Brazil emerged as the top destination for these preparations, followed by Ecuador, Nicaragua, and the United States.
In terms of economic value, Chilean dairy exports amounted to $80.3 million from January to March 2026, representing a 24.6% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
Fedeleche noted that monitoring international trade is crucial for providing strategic information to understand the global dairy market dynamics and its impact on the Chilean dairy sector. The strong export growth underscores the increasing importance of international markets in the development strategy of the Chilean dairy industry.
