Skim milk and whey powder production in South Africa
In 2023 South Africa produced 3,662 t of skim milk and whey powder, the 39th largest in the world (0.08% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 32%. The record was 26,676 t in 1982.
The 2023 figure is imputed by FAO.
- Production, 2023
- 3,662 t
- World rank
- 39 of 58
- 10-year change
- −32%
- Record
- 26,676 t
- 1982
Skim milk and whey powder in South Africa, 1961–2023 (tonnes)
South Africa compared with the world, 2023
- Share of world total
- 0.08%
- 0.15% in 2013
- 10-year change
- −32%
- world +33%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | Israel | 5,672 | 0.12% |
| 38 | Austria | 5,150 | 0.11% |
| 39 | South Africa | 3,662 | 0.08% |
| 40 | Kenya | 3,231 | 0.07% |
| 41 | Venezuela | 3,168 | 0.07% |
Map of world production of skim milk and whey powder
Share of the world total; South Africa is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,662 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | 3,545 | −0.0% |
| 2021 | 3,546 | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 3,497 | +6.3% |
| 2019 | 3,290 | −57% |
| 2018 | 7,632 | +126% |
| 2017 | 3,382 | −1.6% |
| 2016 | 3,438 | +9.8% |
| 2015 | 3,130 | −23% |
| 2014 | 4,083 | −24% |
| 2013 | 5,377 | +3.5% |
| 2012 | 5,193 | +13% |
| 2011 | 4,604 | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 4,554 | −2.8% |
| 2009 | 4,687 | −9.7% |
| 2008 | 5,193 | +21% |
| 2007 | 4,279 | −12% |
| 2006 | 4,854 | +26% |
| 2005 | 3,865 | −71% |
| 2004 | 13,138 | +5.5% |
| 2003 | 12,455 | −35% |
| 2002 | 19,086 | +58% |
| 2001 | 12,078 | +49% |
| 2000 | 8,112 | +39% |
| 1999 | 5,839 | −73% |
| 1998 | 21,325 | +52% |
| 1997 | 14,014 | +150% |
| 1996 | 5,598 | −71% |
| 1995 | 19,633 | +58% |
| 1994 | 12,396 | −20% |
| 1993 | 15,401 | −27% |
| 1992 | 21,064 | +28% |
| 1991 | 16,469 | −36% |
| 1990 | 25,833 | +24% |
| 1989 | 20,864 | +5.7% |
| 1988 | 19,736 | +52% |
| 1987 | 12,961 | −8.5% |
| 1986 | 14,159 | −42% |
| 1985 | 24,540 | +12% |
| 1984 | 21,881 | −8.2% |
| 1983 | 23,824 | −11% |
| 1982 | 26,676 | +62% |
| 1981 | 16,517 | −8.6% |
| 1980 | 18,069 | −10% |
| 1979 | 20,133 | +35% |
| 1978 | 14,943 | −28% |
| 1977 | 20,656 | +9.2% |
| 1976 | 18,914 | +20% |
| 1975 | 15,745 | +13% |
| 1974 | 13,934 | +4.3% |
| 1973 | 13,364 | +0.4% |
| 1972 | 13,312 | +14% |
| 1971 | 11,670 | +11% |
| 1970 | 10,496 | −12% |
| 1969 | 11,957 | −6.6% |
| 1968 | 12,798 | +71% |
| 1967 | 7,477 | +69% |
| 1966 | 4,414 | +12% |
| 1965 | 3,924 | +14% |
| 1964 | 3,436 | +5.4% |
| 1963 | 3,259 | +23% |
| 1962 | 2,655 | −7.9% |
| 1961 | 2,882 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 9,919 t USD 32.8 m
- Exporter rank
- 29 of 110
- Imports
- 7,845 t USD 21.0 m
- Importer rank
- 51 of 192
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of skim milk and whey powder in South Africa?
South Africa produced 3,662 t in 2023, 0.08% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does South Africa rank in the world for production of skim milk and whey powder?
South Africa ranked 39th of 58 countries in 2023. The largest producer was United States with 24.7% of the world total.
How has the production of skim milk and whey powder in South Africa changed?
It fell by 32% between 2013 and 2023, compared with +33% for the world. The record was 26,676 t in 1982.
Does South Africa export or import skim milk and whey powder?
In 2024 South Africa reported exports of 9,919 t (USD 32.8 m) and imports of 7,845 t (USD 21.0 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; the 2023 figure for South Africa is imputed by FAO. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.