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.
Belarus Whey Production was 158.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 7.3% on 2022. Belarus experienced strong growth in whey production from 2015 to 2023, supported by its well-developed dairy processing industry, high milk production capacity, and export-oriented dairy sector. According to the macro indicator data, Belarus produced 121.70 thousand tonnes of whey in 2015, which increased to 124.20 thousand tonnes in 2016.
Belarus Whey Production moved from 121.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 158.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+30.3%), an average of +3.4% a year. The series high was 158.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 91.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2018.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2018) is 67.61 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +39.1% in 2019.
Among the 23 countries in this dataset, Belarus ranks 6 for 2023, behind U.S. (654.3 Thousand Tonnes) and France (420.7 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 4.8% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 158.6 | +7.3% |
| 2022 | 147.8 | +4.6% |
| 2021 | 141.4 | +11% |
| 2020 | 127.4 | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 126.6 | +39.1% |
| 2018 Trough | 91.00 | −13.3% |
| 2017 | 105 | −15.5% |
| 2016 | 124.2 | +2.1% |
| 2015 | 121.7 | — |
Regional context
Whey Production by country, 2023, Thousand Tonnes. Belarus 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.
Production declined slightly to 105.00 thousand tonnes in 2017 and 91.00 thousand tonnes in 2018, before recovering significantly to 126.56 thousand tonnes in 2019. The upward trend continued in later years, with production reaching 127.40 thousand tonnes in 2020, 141.40 thousand tonnes in 2021, 147.85 thousand tonnes in 2022, and 158.61 thousand tonnes in 2023. The increase from 2018 onward highlights improvements in dairy processing efficiency and better utilization of whey generated from cheese and other dairy manufacturing activities. Belarus has a strong dairy sector supported by integrated milk production, modern processing facilities, and significant experience in dairy exports. Whey produced in the country is utilized for manufacturing whey powders, protein concentrates, nutritional ingredients, and animal feed products. The industry has increasingly focused on maximizing the economic value of dairy by-products through advanced processing methods. Rising global demand for protein-rich food ingredients has created additional opportunities for Belarusian whey producers. Overall, Belarus demonstrates a positive growth trajectory in whey production, supported by expanding dairy processing capacity, efficient resource utilization, and increasing demand for high-value dairy ingredients in domestic and international markets. Further investments in modern separation technologies, product diversification, and sustainable dairy practices are expected to enhance Belarus’s role in the regional whey market and improve the competitiveness of its dairy processing industry.
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
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.
Belarus Whey Production was 158.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2023, up 7.3% on 2022.
Belarus Whey Production moved from 121.7 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 158.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 (+30.3%), an average of +3.4% a year. The series high was 158.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the low 91.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2018.
The highest value was 158.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 91.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2018.
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.
Need more data?
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.