Whey production refers to the total quantity of whey generated during the processing of milk into cheese, casein, yogurt, and other dairy products over a specified period, typically measured in metric tonnes.
Argentina Whey Production was 71.52 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 2.4% on 2022. Argentina’s whey production showed moderate fluctuations between 2015 and 2023, reflecting changes in dairy processing activities, milk production levels, and market conditions within the country’s agricultural sector.
Argentina Whey Production moved from 84.40 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 71.52 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−15.3%), an average of −2.1% a year. The series high was 84.40 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 62.54 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2017) is 21.86 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −22.3% in 2017.
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, Argentina ranks 11 for 2023, behind U.S. (654.3 Thousand Tonnes) and France (420.7 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 2.2% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 71.52 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 69.85 | −7.3% |
| 2021 | 75.35 | +10.3% |
| 2020 | 68.28 | +4.8% |
| 2019 | 65.15 | −2.9% |
| 2018 | 67.10 | +7.3% |
| 2017 Trough | 62.54 | −22.3% |
| 2016 | 80.44 | −4.7% |
| 2015Peak | 84.40 | — |
Regional context
Whey Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Argentina is highlighted.
Data definition
Whey Production — Whey production refers to the total quantity of whey generated during the processing of milk into cheese, casein, yogurt, and other dairy products over a specified period, typically measured in metric tonnes. Whey is the liquid by-product remaining after milk has been curdled and strained and contains proteins, lactose, minerals, and water. This indicator measures the volume of whey produced by the dairy industry before it undergoes further processing into products such as whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), whey powder, lactose, or other dairy ingredients. It serves as an important indicator of dairy processing activity and the availability of whey as a raw material for food, beverage, nutrition, and animal feed industries.
The whey production indicator includes the total annual volume of whey produced from the processing of milk obtained from cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and other dairy animals. It covers both sweet whey and acid whey generated during the manufacture of cheese, casein, yogurt, and similar dairy products. The indicator also includes whey intended for further processing into whey powder, whey protein concentrates, whey protein isolates, lactose, demineralized whey, and other value-added dairy ingredients, regardless of whether the output is used domestically, exported, or supplied for industrial or animal feed applications. Production figures are generally compiled from official agricultural and dairy industry statistics.
The whey production indicator excludes raw milk production and the production volumes of finished dairy products such as cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, skim milk powder, whole milk powder, and casein. It also excludes production data for processed whey derivatives, including whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, lactose, and whey powder, when these are reported separately from raw whey production. In addition, the indicator does not include imports, exports, inventories, retail sales, market prices, consumption data, production capacity, or experimental and non-commercial whey production that falls outside official agricultural and dairy production statistics.
Whey Production — Whey production refers to the total quantity of whey generated during the processing of milk into cheese, casein, yogurt, and other dairy products over a specified period, typically measured in metric tonnes. Whey is the liquid by-product remaining after milk has been curdled and strained and contains proteins, lactose, minerals, and water. This indicator measures the volume of whey produced by the dairy industry before it undergoes further processing into products such as whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), whey powder, lactose, or other dairy ingredients. It serves as an important indicator of dairy processing activity and the availability of whey as a raw material for food, beverage, nutrition, and animal feed industries.
According to the macro indicator data, Argentina produced 84.40 thousand tonnes of whey in 2015, followed by a decrease to 80.44 thousand tonnes in 2016 and a further decline to 62.54 thousand tonnes in 2017. Production recovered slightly in 2018, reaching 67.10 thousand tonnes, and remained relatively stable at 65.15 thousand tonnes in 2019. Output increased gradually in subsequent years, reaching 68.28 thousand tonnes in 2020, 75.35 thousand tonnes in 2021, and 69.85 thousand tonnes in 2022. In 2023, Argentina recorded whey production of 71.52 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate recovery compared with earlier years. Argentina’s whey industry is closely associated with its established dairy sector, particularly cheese manufacturing, where whey is generated as a valuable by-product. The country has a strong agricultural foundation and significant experience in dairy production, creating opportunities for further development of whey-based products. Whey is increasingly used in protein concentrates, food ingredients, nutritional products, and animal feed applications. Argentine dairy processors have focused on improving processing efficiency and increasing the value obtained from dairy by-products. Growing global demand for protein ingredients provides opportunities for Argentina to expand whey exports and strengthen its position in international markets. However, industry growth is influenced by economic conditions, dairy production costs, and investment levels in processing infrastructure. Overall, Argentina’s whey production sector demonstrates recovery potential, supported by its dairy capabilities, agricultural resources, and increasing demand for value-added dairy ingredients. Continued modernization and technological improvements will be important for achieving long-term growth in the whey industry.
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Whey production refers to the total quantity of whey generated during the processing of milk into cheese, casein, yogurt, and other dairy products over a specified period, typically measured in metric tonnes. Whey is the liquid by-product remaining after milk has been curdled and strained and contains proteins, lactose, minerals, and water. This indicator measures the volume of whey produced by the dairy industry before it undergoes further processing into products such as whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), whey powder, lactose, or other dairy ingredients. It serves as an important indicator of dairy processing activity and the availability of whey as a raw material for food, beverage, nutrition, and animal feed industries.
Argentina Whey Production was 71.52 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 2.4% on 2022.
Argentina Whey Production moved from 84.40 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 71.52 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (−15.3%), an average of −2.1% a year. The series high was 84.40 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 62.54 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
The highest value was 84.40 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 62.54 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
Included: The whey production indicator includes the total annual volume of whey produced from the processing of milk obtained from cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and other dairy animals. It covers both sweet whey and acid whey generated during the manufacture of cheese, casein, yogurt, and similar dairy products. The indicator also includes whey intended for further processing into whey powder, whey protein concentrates, whey protein isolates, lactose, demineralized whey, and other value-added dairy ingredients, regardless of whether the output is used domestically, exported, or supplied for industrial or animal feed applications. Production figures are generally compiled from official agricultural and dairy industry statistics. Excluded: The whey production indicator excludes raw milk production and the production volumes of finished dairy products such as cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, skim milk powder, whole milk powder, and casein. It also excludes production data for processed whey derivatives, including whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, lactose, and whey powder, when these are reported separately from raw whey production. In addition, the indicator does not include imports, exports, inventories, retail sales, market prices, consumption data, production capacity, or experimental and non-commercial whey production that falls outside official agricultural and dairy production statistics.
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&overlay=download-data&Food=Whey&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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