Lactose Suppliers & Prices in South Africa — Market Overview 2026
Sub Product
Anhydrous Lactose, Crystalline Lactose, Feed Grade Lactose, Food Grade Lactose, +5
Derived Products
Liquid Infant Formula, Milk Chocolates, Milk Stout
Raw Materials
Cow Milk
HS Code
170211
Last Updated
2026-08-21
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
- 3 sampled export transactions for South Africa are summarized.
- Latest reference year in this page dataset is 2024.
- Page data last updated on 2026-08-21.
Lactose Export Supplier & Manufacturer Intelligence, Price Trends, and Trade Flows in South Africa
3 export partner companies are tracked for Lactose in South Africa. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to validate exporter coverage, partner quality, and route priorities.
Explore Lactose export intelligence in South Africa, including 3 sampled supplier transactions, monthly unit-price ranges, and partner-country trade flow patterns for HS Code 170211.
Scatter points are sampled from 100.0% of the full transaction dataset.
Sample Export Supplier & Manufacturer Transaction Records for Lactose in South Africa
3 sampled Lactose transactions in South Africa include date, origin, and partner-country context to benchmark export prices and supplier trading patterns.
Lactose sampled transaction unit prices by date in South Africa: 2025-10-04: 10.57 USD / kg, 2025-10-03: 19.17 USD / kg, 2025-08-09: 5.10 USD / kg.
| Date | Reported Product | Unit Price | Exporter | Importer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-04 | Oth** ******* ********* ********** **** **** | 10.57 USD / kg | (South Africa) | (Lesotho) | |
| 2025-10-03 | Oth** ******* ********* ********** **** **** | 19.17 USD / kg | (South Africa) | (Lesotho) | |
| 2025-08-09 | LAC**** *********** | 5.10 USD / kg | (South Africa) | (Malawi) |
Top Lactose Export Suppliers, Manufacturers, and Companies in South Africa
Review leading exporter profiles and benchmark them against 3 total export partner companies tracked for Lactose in South Africa. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to shortlist sourcing and export partners faster.
(South Africa)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-07-21
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD 1M - 5M
Industries: Food WholesalersOthers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleTrade
(South Africa)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-07-21
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleTrade
(South Africa)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-07-21
Employee Size: Over 1000 Employees
Sales Revenue: USD Over 1B
Industries: Beverage ManufacturingFood ManufacturingFood WholesalersOthers
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleFood Manufacturing
South Africa Export Partner Coverage
3 companies
Total export partner company count is a core signal of South Africa export network depth for Lactose.
Exporters and importers can open Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to assess Lactose partner concentration, capacity signals, and trade relevance in South Africa.
Annual Export Value, Volume, and Supplier Market Size for Lactose in South Africa (HS Code 170211)
Analyze 3 years of Lactose export volume and value in South Africa to evaluate supplier market growth, seasonality, and trade volatility.
| Year | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,339,408 | 3,320,406 USD |
| 2023 | 1,345,473 | 1,361,173 USD |
| 2022 | 883,956 | 814,559 USD |
Top Destination Markets for Lactose Exports from South Africa (HS Code 170211) in 2024
For 2024, compare export volume and value across the top 5 destination countries for Lactose exports from South Africa.
| Rank | Country | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zimbabwe | 1,739,663.146 | 2,469,166.958 USD |
| 2 | Lesotho | 339,807.775 | 482,301.491 USD |
| 3 | Namibia | 132,030.56 | 187,395.76 USD |
| 4 | Nigeria | 56,490.647 | 80,179.224 USD |
| 5 | Mozambique | 22,268.235 | 31,606.113 USD |
Sourcing diagnosis
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Lactose Import Buyer Intelligence and Price Signals in South Africa: Buyers, Demand, and Trade Partners
Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to analyze Lactose buyer demand, partner density, and downstream channels in South Africa.
Annual Import Value, Volume, and Demand Size for Lactose in South Africa (HS Code 170211)
Track 2 years of Lactose import volume and value in South Africa to assess demand growth and market momentum.
| Year | Volume | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 15,903,603 | 20,109,337 USD |
| 2022 | 18,981,312 | 25,730,154 USD |
Export diagnosis
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Price data
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Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionFood & Pharmaceutical Ingredient (Dairy-derived excipient)
Market
Lactose in South Africa functions primarily as an industrial ingredient used by food manufacturers and, for pharmaceutical grades, as an excipient in solid dosage production. Trade-statistics references (UN Comtrade and ITC Trade Map) are the appropriate primary tools to verify the latest net-import position for lactose under the relevant HS codes. Import market access is most sensitive to (1) veterinary import permit and veterinary health certificate requirements applied to animal products and (2) correct SARS tariff classification for clearance. Bulk dairy-ingredient supply to manufacturers is supported by local importers/distributors that supply dairy and food-and-beverage industries, typically handling palletized 25 kg bags and containerized volumes.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent industrial ingredient market; verify latest year in UN Comtrade / ITC Trade Map)
Domestic RoleIndustrial input for food manufacturing (dairy, chocolate/confectionery and related sectors) and pharmaceutical excipient supply chains.
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Specification
Physical Attributes
- White crystalline powder; particle size (coarse vs milled) influences flowability, dusting, and blending uniformity.
- Moisture control is critical to prevent caking during storage and distribution.
Compositional Metrics
- Purity and moisture specifications are commonly set by buyer specification and (for pharma grades) compendial expectations; confirm against supplier CoA and the intended end-use (food vs pharmaceutical).
Grades
- Food-grade (edible) lactose for industrial food manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical-grade lactose (e.g., monohydrate grades for tablets/capsules; grade selection depends on process such as direct compression)
Packaging
- Typically handled as bulk ingredient shipments in sealed moisture-barrier packaging (commonly 25 kg bags for distributor supply, with containerized logistics for larger volumes).
Supply Chain
Value Chain
- International dairy ingredient producer (whey permeate processing → lactose refinement) → containerized sea freight to South Africa → SARS customs tariff classification and clearance → veterinary import control document checks for animal products (permit + health certificate) → importer/distributor warehousing (major industrial hubs) → food/pharma manufacturer intake with CoA review
Temperature
- Ambient-stable powder, but quality is sensitive to heat/humidity exposure; keep dry and avoid condensation during transit and warehousing.
Atmosphere Control
- Humidity control and sealed packaging integrity are key to prevent moisture uptake and caking.
Shelf Life
- Shelf life is primarily limited by moisture uptake and storage conditions rather than cold-chain constraints; follow supplier CoA and storage instructions.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighLactose is a dairy-derived animal product ingredient and importation can be blocked or materially delayed if the veterinary import permit is not obtained before shipment and/or the required veterinary health certificate is missing or non-conforming at the port of entry.Secure the veterinary import permit before booking shipment, use the permit-issued health certificate template, and run a pre-arrival document audit (permit, original health certificate, invoice, packing list, CoA).
Tariff Classification MediumMisclassification under the SARS tariff schedule (e.g., incorrect lactose subheading) can trigger clearance delays, post-entry queries, or duty/tax treatment disputes.Align product description and specs (purity; lactose content basis) to the SARS Schedule 1 headings/subheadings and retain a defensible classification rationale with supporting technical documentation.
Food Labelling MediumFinished foods sold in South Africa that contain lactose must comply with Department of Health food labelling rules, including appropriate ingredient and milk-allergen disclosure; non-compliance can trigger enforcement actions or product withdrawal.Validate finished-good labels against the latest Department of Health food control regulations and keep a compliant label dossier (artwork approvals, allergen statements, ingredient specs).
Logistics MediumAs a bulk powder ingredient typically shipped by sea, lactose landed cost and service levels can be disrupted by freight volatility and delays, raising the risk of production interruptions for manufacturers relying on just-in-time ingredient supply.Use safety stock policies for critical SKUs, confirm moisture-barrier packaging integrity, and qualify at least one alternate supplier/distributor route.
Quality MediumFood-grade and pharmaceutical-grade lactose are not interchangeable; particle size and quality specifications can affect processing performance (flow/compaction) and may cause batch rejection if not matched to the buyer’s required grade.Specify grade (food vs pharma), form (monohydrate vs anhydrous), and particle-size requirements in purchase specs; require CoA and, for pharma use, compendial documentation from the supplier.
Sustainability
- Dairy supply chains face ongoing scrutiny for environmental sustainability and animal welfare expectations; buyers may align ingredient sourcing with supplier sustainability programs and audits.
Labor & Social
- Social responsibility in the South African dairy value chain is an explicit industry theme; buyers may require ethical labor practices and documented HR policies from local handlers and co-packers.
Standards
- HACCP-based food safety systems
- ISO 22000 / FSMS-aligned controls (commonly used as a private assurance framework in food chains)
FAQ
Do I need a veterinary import permit to import lactose into South Africa?Yes. South Africa’s import process for animal products requires a veterinary import permit from the Director: Animal Health before the product is shipped, and the original veterinary import permit and original veterinary health certificate must be presented at the port of entry.
Which SARS tariff headings commonly cover lactose imports into South Africa?SARS Schedule 1, Part 1 lists lactose under HS heading 17.02, including lactose subheadings 1702.11 (high-purity lactose) and 1702.19 (other lactose). Importers should confirm the exact tariff line classification against the shipped product specification.
What are the most important compliance checks for lactose-containing foods sold in South Africa?The key checks are that the finished product label complies with the Department of Health’s food labelling rules (including correct ingredient and milk-allergen disclosure) and that the importer/manufacturer maintains the required records and supporting documentation for inspection.
Other Lactose Country Markets for Supplier, Manufacturer, Export, and Price Comparison from South Africa
Compare Lactose supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks across countries related to South Africa.
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Related Lactose Product Categories
Browse parent, sub, derived, and raw-material product market pages related to Lactose.
Raw materials: Cow Milk
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