Lactose thumbnail

Lactose Market Overview 2026

Sub Product
Anhydrous Lactose, Crystalline Lactose, Feed Grade Lactose, Food Grade Lactose, +5
Derived Products
Milk Stout, Milk Chocolates, Liquid Infant Formula
Raw Materials
Cow Milk
HS Code
170211
Last Updated
2026-03-30
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
  • Lactose market coverage spans 136 countries.
  • 1,201 exporter companies and 1,430 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
  • 7,841 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 20 countries.
  • 1 premium suppliers and 0 catalog items are currently listed.
  • Wholesale sample entries: 0; farmgate sample entries: 0.
  • Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2024.
  • Page data last updated on 2026-03-30.

Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Lactose

Analyze 7,841 supplier-linked transactions across the top 20 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Lactose.

Lactose Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum

Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Lactose to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Lactose: Denmark (+534.2%), China (+88.9%), Argentina (+70.0%).

Lactose Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary

As of 2025-05, benchmark Lactose country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2025-10, countries with visible Lactose transaction unit prices: Germany (3.24 USD / kg), India (3.06 USD / kg), China (2.80 USD / kg), New Zealand (2.19 USD / kg), Netherlands (2.05 USD / kg), 13 more countries.
CountryYoY ChangeTransaction Count2025-052025-062025-072025-082025-092025-102025-112025-122026-012026-022026-032026-04
United States+24.9%2,7031.01 USD / kg (9,607,789.675 kg)1.09 USD / kg (9,090,497.602 kg)1.11 USD / kg (5,799,401.842 kg)1.10 USD / kg (20,402,959.884 kg)1.11 USD / kg (24,289,028.081 kg)1.12 USD / kg (27,103,932.879 kg)
Germany+12.3%1,8982.45 USD / kg (2,701,533.75 kg)2.52 USD / kg (2,915,733 kg)3.01 USD / kg (3,377,373.494 kg)3.02 USD / kg (1,800,050 kg)3.40 USD / kg (2,718,587.98 kg)3.24 USD / kg (1,826,614.714 kg)
France+6.4%2321.41 USD / kg (555,421.5 kg)1.36 USD / kg (282,739 kg)1.10 USD / kg (725,240 kg)1.17 USD / kg (476,765 kg)1.44 USD / kg (737,037 kg)1.40 USD / kg (650,959.03 kg)
China+88.9%1181.57 USD / kg (214,500 kg)0.81 USD / kg (436,600 kg)0.71 USD / kg (11,137 kg)2.61 USD / kg (73,360 kg)13.01 USD / kg (24,765.5 kg)2.80 USD / kg (43,500 kg)
India-4.0%7752.48 USD / kg (294,527 kg)2.87 USD / kg (349,976.5 kg)3.07 USD / kg (438,323 kg)2.94 USD / kg (232,390 kg)3.17 USD / kg (346,648.5 kg)3.06 USD / kg (95,492 kg)
Netherlands+51.9%4622.66 USD / kg (535,381 kg)3.18 USD / kg (239,236 kg)2.00 USD / kg (714,170.2 kg)3.15 USD / kg (531,672 kg)2.26 USD / kg (1,073,779 kg)2.05 USD / kg (722,875 kg)
Canada+51.5%3241.01 USD / kg (322,450.02 kg)0.93 USD / kg (726,300.02 kg)0.94 USD / kg (444,265.051 kg)0.99 USD / kg (1,241,594.071 kg)1.08 USD / kg (980,067.199 kg)1.12 USD / kg (950,800.93 kg)
Ireland-8.0%2154.48 USD / kg (386,400 kg)2.96 USD / kg (352,566 kg)3.03 USD / kg (942,018 kg)1.70 USD / kg (322,320 kg)3.90 USD / kg (265,110 kg)- (-)
Turkiye-5.1%1180.96 USD / kg (474,150 kg)0.96 USD / kg (497,000 kg)1.12 USD / kg (526,150 kg)1.04 USD / kg (534,300 kg)1.19 USD / kg (330,400 kg)1.05 USD / kg (335,500 kg)
Chile+24.4%921.06 USD / kg (1,048,000 kg)1.07 USD / kg (1,142,000 kg)1.09 USD / kg (75,080 kg)1.07 USD / kg (1,427,000 kg)1.11 USD / kg (275,729 kg)1.10 USD / kg (1,242,000 kg)
Lactose Global Supply Chain Coverage
2,631 companies
1,201 exporters and 1,430 importers are mapped for Lactose.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Lactose, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.

Lactose Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals

1,201 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Lactose. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.

Lactose Verified Export Suppliers and Premium Partners

1 premium Lactose suppliers include country, industry, and contactability signals to prioritize credible export partners faster.
NAVIGAATOR LTD
Estonia
Food ManufacturingBeverage ManufacturingFood WholesalersFood PackagingBrokers And Trade AgenciesOthers
Become a Premium Supplier to join the Tridge Supply Chain Network and advance your marketing and export channel strategy.

Lactose Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles

Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 1,201 total exporter companies in the Lactose supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(Mexico)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-28
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Industries: Food Manufacturing
Value Chain Roles: Others
(United States)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-28
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Industries: Food ManufacturingBeverage ManufacturingFood Packaging
Value Chain Roles: Food ManufacturingDistribution / Wholesale
(Switzerland)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-28
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 1 - 10 Employees
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-28
Recently Export Partner Companies: 2
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-28
Employee Size: 1 - 10 Employees
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(Guatemala)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-02-28
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale
Lactose Global Exporter Coverage
1,201 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Lactose supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Lactose opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.

Top Exporting Countries for Lactose (HS Code 170211) in 2024

For Lactose in 2024, compare export volume and value across the top 10 supplier countries to map core supply structure.
RankCountryVolumeValueReport
1United States408,507,692 kg401,233,901 USDView →
2Netherlands121,756,530 kg260,621,972.686 USDView →
3Germany179,250,753.61 kg251,759,944.787 USDView →
4New Zealand24,863,627 kg30,065,457.404 USDView →
5Italy25,708,792 kg21,397,167.295 USDView →
6Poland24,613,483.419 kg19,173,016 USDView →
7Lithuania17,514,700 kg12,963,630 USDView →
8Canada12,738,331.75 kg12,396,526.615 USDView →
9Israel7,890,307.905 kg11,199,000 USDView →
10United Kingdom11,769,644.074 kg8,341,103.497 USDView →

Lactose Export Trade Flow and Partner Country Summary

Track Lactose exporter-to-importer flows by value, volume, and share to uncover high-potential export routes.

Lactose Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks

1,430 importer companies are mapped for Lactose demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.

Lactose Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners

Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 1,430 total importer companies tracked for Lactose. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
(Pakistan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-02-28
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 1M - 5M
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Germany)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-02-28
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(India)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-29
Recently Import Partner Companies: 7
Employee Size: 101 - 500 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 10M - 50M
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingFood PackagingFood ManufacturingOthers
Value Chain Roles: -
(United Arab Emirates)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-02-28
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Ukraine)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-02-28
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Industries: Food Wholesalers
Value Chain Roles: -
(United States)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-06-30
Employee Size: 1 - 10 Employees
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
Global Importer Coverage
1,430 companies
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Lactose.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Lactose buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.

Top Import Demand Countries for Lactose (HS Code 170211) in 2024

For Lactose in 2024, compare import volume and value across the top 10 demand countries to identify priority markets.
RankCountryVolumeValueReport
1Netherlands76,175,133 kg112,976,481.436 USDView →
2New Zealand100,626,163 kg104,143,009.034 USDView →
3Japan76,439,478 kg99,645,338.526 USDView →
4India41,338,908 kg85,745,597.691 USDView →
5Germany41,684,457.076 kg53,332,178.948 USDView →
6Ireland67,140,848.139 kg46,305,755.741 USDView →
7Mexico41,615,466 kg41,009,436 USDView →
8Brazil20,383,231.76 kg34,547,663 USDView →
9Thailand27,419,279.321 kg31,353,428.76 USDView →
10Italy17,999,843 kg28,303,272.722 USDView →

Lactose Import Trade Flow and Origin Country Summary

Analyze Lactose origin-to-destination trade flows by value, volume, and share to monitor demand-side sourcing channels.

Classification

Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood Ingredient and Pharmaceutical Excipient

Market

Lactose is a globally traded dairy-derived carbohydrate produced primarily by processing whey and related dairy streams, linking its availability and pricing to broader milk and cheese production cycles. Export supply is concentrated in major dairy-processing economies (notably the United States and several Western European producers), while demand is driven by food manufacturing and high-specification uses such as infant formula and pharmaceutical excipients. Trade flows show large import demand in Asia (especially China, India, and Japan) alongside significant intra-European and re-export hub activity via the Netherlands. Because lactose is shelf-stable compared with many dairy products, global trade logistics are dominated by bulk dry transport and quality/regulatory compliance rather than cold-chain constraints.
Market GrowthMixedDemand is supported by food manufacturing and pharmaceutical excipient use, while trade volumes and pricing can fluctuate with dairy cycles and downstream cheese/whey economics.
Major Producing Countries
  • United StatesMajor whey processing capacity; leading exporter in UN Comtrade-derived trade statistics (HS 170210).
  • GermanyLarge dairy-processing base; among leading exporters in UN Comtrade-derived trade statistics (HS 170210).
  • NetherlandsSignificant dairy ingredient production and trading hub; among leading exporters and importers in UN Comtrade-derived trade statistics (HS 170210).
  • FranceNotable exporter and importer in UN Comtrade-derived trade statistics (HS 170210).
  • New ZealandExport-oriented dairy sector; present among leading exporters in UN Comtrade-derived trade statistics (HS 170210).
  • IrelandMajor dairy ingredient producer; appears among leading importers in UN Comtrade-derived trade statistics (HS 170210), consistent with intra-industry trade and processing specialization.
Major Exporting Countries
  • United StatesTop exporter by trade value in 2024 in WITS (UN Comtrade) for HS 170210 (Lactose and lactose syrup).
  • GermanyTop exporter by trade value in 2024 in WITS (UN Comtrade) for HS 170210.
  • NetherlandsTop exporter by trade value in 2024 in WITS (UN Comtrade) for HS 170210; also functions as a European logistics and distribution hub.
  • FranceAmong leading exporters by trade value in 2024 in WITS (UN Comtrade) for HS 170210.
  • New ZealandAmong leading exporters by trade value in 2024 in WITS (UN Comtrade) for HS 170210.
Major Importing Countries
  • ChinaTop importer by trade value in 2024 in WITS (UN Comtrade) for HS 170210.
  • NetherlandsTop importer by trade value in 2024 in WITS (UN Comtrade) for HS 170210; reflects hub/re-export and intra-European processing trade.
  • IndiaTop importer by trade value in 2024 in WITS (UN Comtrade) for HS 170210.
  • New ZealandTop importer by trade value in 2024 in WITS (UN Comtrade) for HS 170210; can reflect specialized ingredient balancing and product mix across dairy processing.
  • JapanTop importer by trade value in 2024 in WITS (UN Comtrade) for HS 170210.

Specification

Physical Attributes
  • White to off-white crystalline powder or granules (grade dependent).
  • Free-flowing properties vary by particle size distribution (e.g., sieved vs milled grades for excipient use).
Compositional Metrics
  • Lactose content/purity specifications (food vs pharmaceutical grade).
  • Moisture and water activity control to reduce caking and maintain flow.
  • Residual protein (milk allergen management) and ash/mineral limits, depending on intended use.
Grades
  • Food grade lactose (general food manufacturing).
  • Infant formula grade lactose (tight microbiological and compositional controls).
  • Pharmaceutical grade lactose (compendial; e.g., USP/Ph. Eur. monographs for excipient use).
Packaging
  • Multiwall paper bags with inner liner (common for food ingredients).
  • Bulk bags (FIBCs) and palletized bagged formats for industrial users.
  • Moisture-barrier packaging emphasized for storage stability and flow.
ProcessingFunctional bulking/carrier properties in dry blends (powder handling and dispersion depend on particle size).Reducing sugar behavior can contribute to browning reactions in certain thermal processing applications.Excipient performance in tablets/capsules is influenced by grade selection (e.g., flow vs compaction characteristics).

Supply Chain

Value Chain
  • Cheese production / whey generation -> whey clarification and fat/protein removal -> concentration -> lactose crystallization -> separation and drying -> milling/sieving (as needed) -> bulk packaging -> distribution to food, infant nutrition, and pharma manufacturers.
Demand Drivers
  • Infant formula and pediatric nutrition manufacturing demand.
  • Confectionery, bakery, and dry mix applications using lactose as a bulking/carrier ingredient.
  • Pharmaceutical excipient demand for tablets, capsules, and sachets (grade-dependent functionality).
Temperature
  • Typically shipped and stored as a dry, shelf-stable powder at ambient temperatures; moisture control is more critical than temperature control.
Shelf Life
  • Shelf life is primarily limited by moisture uptake (caking/flow loss) and contamination risks; stable storage depends on low-humidity warehousing and appropriate packaging.

Risks

Dairy Supply Volatility HighLactose supply is structurally tied to whey availability and dairy processing economics (notably cheese production) in major exporting regions. Shifts in milk supply, feed/energy costs, or dairy-sector disruptions can quickly tighten ingredient availability and increase price volatility for lactose-dependent manufacturers (especially infant nutrition and pharma users with limited substitution options).Qualify multiple origins/suppliers, maintain safety stocks for critical applications, and monitor dairy market indicators and processor capacity utilization.
Regulatory Compliance MediumEnd uses in infant formula and pharmaceutical products impose stringent microbiological, compositional, and traceability requirements, increasing the risk of trade disruptions or costly rejections if specifications are not met.Use application-appropriate grades (infant/formula or compendial pharma), require robust COAs and audit-ready traceability, and align specifications to destination-market regulations and compendial expectations.
Quality Degradation MediumMoisture uptake during storage or transit can cause caking and flow problems, impacting manufacturing performance (e.g., dosing accuracy, blending uniformity, and tableting performance) and increasing waste.Specify moisture-barrier packaging, control humidity in warehousing, and manage handling practices to minimize exposure and rework.
Sustainability
  • Upstream dairy sector greenhouse gas footprint and manure management scrutiny affects buyer ESG requirements for dairy-derived ingredients.
  • Energy intensity of evaporation/drying steps can raise cost and carbon footprint sensitivity, especially during energy price shocks.
Labor & Social
  • Supply-chain transparency expectations increasingly extend from ingredient processors back to dairy farming practices (including worker safety and animal welfare-related requirements).

FAQ

Which countries are the largest exporters and importers of lactose in recent trade data?In 2024 trade data for “lactose and lactose syrup” (HS 170210), leading exporters include the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and New Zealand. Leading importers include China, the Netherlands, India, New Zealand, and Japan.
Why can lactose supply and pricing change quickly even though it is shelf-stable?Lactose production is closely linked to whey availability and dairy processing economics, especially cheese production. When milk supply, processing margins, or energy costs shift in major exporting regions, ingredient output and export availability can tighten or expand, affecting global prices.
What are common end uses of lactose in global manufacturing?Lactose is widely used as a food ingredient (including in dry mixes, bakery and confectionery applications) and as an excipient in pharmaceutical products. It is also a key input in nutrition applications such as infant formula, where tighter quality controls are typically required.

Sources

World Bank WITS (UN Comtrade) — HS 170210 Lactose and lactose syrup: exports by country (2024)
World Bank WITS (UN Comtrade) — HS 170210 Lactose and lactose syrup: imports by country (2024)
FAO — Codex Alimentarius: dairy standards and general texts (Codex as global food standards reference)
United States Pharmacopeia (USP) — Lactose Monohydrate: harmonized standard notice (pharmaceutical excipient context)
DFE Pharma — Pharmatose lactose grades (pharmaceutical lactose functionality and grade differentiation)

Lactose Country Coverage for Suppliers, Export Flows, and Prices

Explore country-level Lactose market pages for supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks.
IN flag
India
US flag
United States
CN flag
China
DE flag
Germany
ID flag
Indonesia
NL flag
Netherlands
BR flag
Brazil
FR flag
France
VN flag
Vietnam
KR flag
South Korea
NZ flag
New Zealand
NG flag
Nigeria
All country market pages: India, United States, China, Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands, Brazil, France, Vietnam, South Korea, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Italy, Pakistan, Austria, Mexico, Ecuador, Lithuania, Colombia, Belgium, Sri Lanka, Canada, Czechia, Australia, Uruguay, United Kingdom, Turkiye, United Arab Emirates, Ireland, South Africa, Slovakia, Philippines, Argentina, Spain, Guatemala, Japan, Singapore, El Salvador, Bulgaria, Chile, Thailand, Russia, Switzerland, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Ukraine, Israel, Swaziland, Venezuela, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Sweden, Peru, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Oman, Slovenia, Paraguay, Panama, Romania, Iran, Malaysia, Portugal, Moldova, Costa Rica, Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Aruba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbados, Burkina Faso, Bolivia, Bahamas, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Cyprus, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Algeria, Estonia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, Georgia, Ghana, Gambia, Honduras, Croatia, Hungary, Iraq, Iceland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Latvia, Libya, Morocco, Montenegro, Madagascar, Macedonia, Myanmar [Burma], Mongolia, Malta, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nicaragua, Norway, Nepal, Sudan, Senegal, Syria, Togo, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Tanzania, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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