Lactose syrup exports from the United States: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, the United States exported lactose syrup worth $28.1 million (27.8 thousand tonnes). It ranks 2nd of 93 countries for exports of this product. That is 7% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2019, at $61.2 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $28.1M | 27.8K t |
| 2023 | $30.2M | 24.8K t |
| 2022 | $39.3M | 28.3K t |
| 2021 | $45.0M | 30.7K t |
| 2020 | $43.6M | 39.7K t |
| 2019 | $61.2M | 47.6K t |
| 2018 | $55.9M | 49.7K t |
| 2017 | $47.2M | 49.7K t |
Where the United States exports lactose syrup to
Most of it went to China (17%), India (15%), Vietnam (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 43%. Among the main buyer markets, Taiwan grew fastest (+69% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $4.9M | 17% |
| India | $4.3M | 15% |
| Vietnam | $2.7M | 9.8% |
| South Korea | $2.5M | 9% |
| Canada | $2.4M | 8.5% |
| New Zealand | $1.8M | 6.6% |
| Ecuador | $1.3M | 4.5% |
| Australia | $1.2M | 4.2% |
| Thailand | $975K | 3.5% |
| Taiwan | $885K | 3.2% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.01 per kg, 27% below the world average of $1.38, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Lactose syrup imports to the United States
In 2024, the United States imported lactose syrup worth $8.5 million (937 tonnes). It ranks 5th of 172 countries for imports of this product. One supplier dominates: Netherlands accounted for 71% of the value. Among the main suppliers, New Zealand grew fastest (+50% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $6.0M | 71% |
| New Zealand | $945K | 11% |
| Taiwan | $774K | 9.1% |
| China | $126K | 1.5% |
| Poland | $83K | 1% |
| Israel | $76K | 0.9% |
| Pakistan | $63K | 0.8% |
| Italy | $62K | 0.7% |
| United Kingdom | $60K | 0.7% |
| Thailand | $54K | 0.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 1702.19: Sugars: lactose and lactose syrup, containing by weight less than 99% lactose, expressed as anhydrous lactose, calculated on the dry matter.
Common questions
What is the value of lactose syrup exported by the United States?
The United States exported lactose syrup worth $28.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 27.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 2nd of 93 countries worldwide, with 17% of world exports. The value was down 7% on 2023.
Which countries buy lactose syrup from the United States?
China was the largest buyer with 17% of the value ($4.9 million), followed by India (15%) and Vietnam (10%). The top three together account for 43%, out of 77 buyer countries in total. Taiwan grew fastest among the top ten, up 69% on the year.
What is the average export price of lactose syrup per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.01 per kg in 2024, 27% below the world average of $1.38 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have exports of lactose syrup from the United States changed since 2017?
Exports went from $47.2 million in 2017 to $28.1 million in 2024, a fall of 41%. The peak was 2019 at $61.2 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does the United States also import lactose syrup?
Yes. The United States imported $8.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from the Netherlands, New Zealand and Taiwan. On balance the United States is a net exporter of this product, by about $19.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for lactose syrup?
The HS code for lactose syrup is subheading 1702.19. It sits in HS chapter 17 (sugars and sugar confectionery). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1702 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United States with shipment-level records, updated weekly, so you can see importers and exporters by name with dates, quantities and declared values. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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