GITNUXREPORT 2026

Argentina Dairy Industry Statistics

Despite drought impacts, Argentina's dairy industry remains large and export-focused.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Per capita fresh milk consumption in Argentina was 165 liters in 2022.

Statistic 2

Total fluid milk consumption reached 6.8 billion liters in 2022.

Statistic 3

Cheese consumption per capita was 12.5 kg in 2022.

Statistic 4

Yogurt per capita intake was 7.2 kg in 2022.

Statistic 5

Milk powder domestic use was 50,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 6

Butter per capita consumption stood at 4.8 kg in 2022.

Statistic 7

Ice cream consumption per capita was 8.5 kg in 2022.

Statistic 8

Urban households consumed 70% of total fluid milk in 2022.

Statistic 9

School milk programs distributed 200 million liters in 2022.

Statistic 10

Organic dairy consumption grew 15% to 20,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 11

Low-fat milk share of consumption was 35% in 2022.

Statistic 12

Powdered milk home reconstitution was 30 liters per capita equivalent.

Statistic 13

Cheese in fast food outlets consumed 25,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 14

Plant-based milk substitution was 5% of total dairy in 2022.

Statistic 15

Elderly consumption of fermented milk products rose 10% in 2022.

Statistic 16

Total dairy expenditure per household was ARS 15,000 monthly in 2022.

Statistic 17

Regional consumption highest in Buenos Aires at 180 liters/capita milk.

Statistic 18

Milk tea consumption equivalent added 10 liters/capita in 2022.

Statistic 19

Industry revenue from dairy reached ARS 1.2 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 20

Dairy sector contributed 1.5% to Argentina's GDP in 2022.

Statistic 21

Employment in dairy industry totaled 120,000 direct jobs in 2022.

Statistic 22

Average milk producer price was ARS 450 per 100 liters in 2022.

Statistic 23

Farmgate milk price index rose 95% year-over-year in 2022.

Statistic 24

Total investment in dairy farms was USD 500 million in 2022.

Statistic 25

Profit margin for producers averaged 15% in 2022.

Statistic 26

Export revenue per liter of milk equivalent was USD 0.45 in 2022.

Statistic 27

Debt levels in dairy sector at 40% of assets in 2022.

Statistic 28

R&D spending in dairy was ARS 5 billion in 2022.

Statistic 29

Cooperative share of production was 30% in 2022.

Statistic 30

Top 10 processors handled 65% of milk in 2022.

Statistic 31

Energy costs 25% of processing expenses in 2022.

Statistic 32

Sustainability investments USD 200 million in 2022.

Statistic 33

Average wage for dairy workers ARS 250,000 monthly in 2022.

Statistic 34

Argentina exported 120,000 tons of whole milk powder in 2022.

Statistic 35

Cheese exports totaled 45,000 tons in 2022, mainly to Russia.

Statistic 36

Top export destination for milk powder was Algeria with 25,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 37

Dairy export value reached USD 1.2 billion in 2022.

Statistic 38

Skim milk powder exports were 40,000 tons to China in 2022.

Statistic 39

Butter exports hit 15,000 tons primarily to Brazil in 2022.

Statistic 40

Whey powder exports totaled 10,000 tons to Southeast Asia in 2022.

Statistic 41

Cheese export growth to Russia was 20% in 2022.

Statistic 42

Milk powder export share of production was 55% in 2022.

Statistic 43

Total dairy import volume was 20,000 tons in 2022, mostly specialty cheeses.

Statistic 44

Brazil imported 12,000 tons of Argentine butter in 2022.

Statistic 45

Algeria's import from Argentina milk powder up 15% to 28,000 tons.

Statistic 46

EU imported 5,000 tons of Argentine cheese in 2022 under quotas.

Statistic 47

China SMP imports from Argentina 35% of total SMP exports.

Statistic 48

Dairy trade balance surplus was USD 1.1 billion in 2022.

Statistic 49

Port of Buenos Aires handled 70% of dairy exports in 2022.

Statistic 50

New markets opened in Morocco for 3,000 tons cheese in 2022.

Statistic 51

Export certification for 50 plants active in 2022.

Statistic 52

Dairy export logistics costs averaged 12% of value in 2022.

Statistic 53

Total cheese production in Argentina reached 285,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 54

Whole milk powder output was 190,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 55

Skim milk powder production totaled 75,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 56

Butter production in Argentina was 85,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 57

Fresh cheese (Queso Fresco) output hit 120,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 58

Semi-hard cheese production was 110,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 59

Yogurt production reached 45,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 60

UHT milk output was 1.2 billion liters in 2022.

Statistic 61

Sweetened condensed milk production totaled 25,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 62

Cream production was 30,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 63

Ice cream output reached 350,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 64

Milk powder export-oriented production was 60% of total in 2022.

Statistic 65

Reggianito cheese production was 15,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 66

Blue cheese output totaled 8,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 67

Mozzarella production hit 40,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 68

Milk chocolate dairy content production was 20,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 69

Whey powder production reached 12,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 70

Casein output was 5,000 tons in 2022.

Statistic 71

In 2022, Argentina produced 10.95 billion liters of raw cow milk, marking a 1.2% decline from 2021 due to drought conditions.

Statistic 72

Average milk yield per cow in Argentina reached 5,600 liters annually in 2022, up from 5,450 in 2021.

Statistic 73

The number of dairy cows in Argentina stood at 1.96 million heads in 2022.

Statistic 74

Pampas region accounted for 82% of total milk production in Argentina in 2022.

Statistic 75

Milk production per farm averaged 1.2 million liters in 2022 for Argentine dairy farms.

Statistic 76

Total dairy farm count in Argentina was approximately 8,500 in 2022.

Statistic 77

Feed costs represented 60% of total production costs for milk in Argentina in 2022.

Statistic 78

Average farm size for dairy operations in Argentina increased to 120 hectares in 2022.

Statistic 79

Milk production in Santa Fe province reached 3.2 billion liters in 2022.

Statistic 80

Córdoba province contributed 2.8 billion liters to national milk output in 2022.

Statistic 81

Buenos Aires province produced 2.1 billion liters of milk in 2022.

Statistic 82

Entre Ríos dairy output was 1.1 billion liters in 2022.

Statistic 83

Milk production growth rate in Argentina was -2.5% in the first half of 2023.

Statistic 84

Total milking parlors in Argentina numbered over 12,000 in 2022.

Statistic 85

Average daily milk yield per cow hit 18.5 liters in 2022.

Statistic 86

Organic milk production in Argentina was 150 million liters in 2022.

Statistic 87

Irrigation coverage in dairy farms reached 25% in key regions by 2022.

Statistic 88

Milk fat content averaged 3.4% in Argentine raw milk in 2022.

Statistic 89

Protein content in milk averaged 3.2% nationwide in 2022.

Statistic 90

Somatic cell count averaged 250,000/ml in 2022 for Argentine milk.

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While drought may have slightly tempered its flow, Argentina's dairy industry remains a powerhouse of rich production and economic vitality, feeding a world hungry for its cheeses, powders, and creams.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, Argentina produced 10.95 billion liters of raw cow milk, marking a 1.2% decline from 2021 due to drought conditions.
Average milk yield per cow in Argentina reached 5,600 liters annually in 2022, up from 5,450 in 2021.
The number of dairy cows in Argentina stood at 1.96 million heads in 2022.
Total cheese production in Argentina reached 285,000 tons in 2022.
Whole milk powder output was 190,000 tons in 2022.
Skim milk powder production totaled 75,000 tons in 2022.
Per capita fresh milk consumption in Argentina was 165 liters in 2022.
Total fluid milk consumption reached 6.8 billion liters in 2022.
Cheese consumption per capita was 12.5 kg in 2022.
Argentina exported 120,000 tons of whole milk powder in 2022.
Cheese exports totaled 45,000 tons in 2022, mainly to Russia.
Top export destination for milk powder was Algeria with 25,000 tons in 2022.
Industry revenue from dairy reached ARS 1.2 trillion in 2022.
Dairy sector contributed 1.5% to Argentina's GDP in 2022.
Employment in dairy industry totaled 120,000 direct jobs in 2022.

Despite drought impacts, Argentina's dairy industry remains large and export-focused.

Domestic Consumption

Per capita fresh milk consumption in Argentina was 165 liters in 2022.
Total fluid milk consumption reached 6.8 billion liters in 2022.
Cheese consumption per capita was 12.5 kg in 2022.
Yogurt per capita intake was 7.2 kg in 2022.
Milk powder domestic use was 50,000 tons in 2022.
Butter per capita consumption stood at 4.8 kg in 2022.
Ice cream consumption per capita was 8.5 kg in 2022.
Urban households consumed 70% of total fluid milk in 2022.
School milk programs distributed 200 million liters in 2022.
Organic dairy consumption grew 15% to 20,000 tons in 2022.
Low-fat milk share of consumption was 35% in 2022.
Powdered milk home reconstitution was 30 liters per capita equivalent.
Cheese in fast food outlets consumed 25,000 tons in 2022.
Plant-based milk substitution was 5% of total dairy in 2022.
Elderly consumption of fermented milk products rose 10% in 2022.
Total dairy expenditure per household was ARS 15,000 monthly in 2022.
Regional consumption highest in Buenos Aires at 180 liters/capita milk.
Milk tea consumption equivalent added 10 liters/capita in 2022.

Domestic Consumption Interpretation

With national dairy consumption figures strong enough to float a battleship, Argentina's true cultural fabric is woven not just through tango and football, but through a serious, lactose-fueled love affair that stretches from the schoolyard carton to the sophisticated cheese board, proving that even a modest plant-based rebellion can't dethrone the cow.

Industry Economics

Industry revenue from dairy reached ARS 1.2 trillion in 2022.
Dairy sector contributed 1.5% to Argentina's GDP in 2022.
Employment in dairy industry totaled 120,000 direct jobs in 2022.
Average milk producer price was ARS 450 per 100 liters in 2022.
Farmgate milk price index rose 95% year-over-year in 2022.
Total investment in dairy farms was USD 500 million in 2022.
Profit margin for producers averaged 15% in 2022.
Export revenue per liter of milk equivalent was USD 0.45 in 2022.
Debt levels in dairy sector at 40% of assets in 2022.
R&D spending in dairy was ARS 5 billion in 2022.
Cooperative share of production was 30% in 2022.
Top 10 processors handled 65% of milk in 2022.
Energy costs 25% of processing expenses in 2022.
Sustainability investments USD 200 million in 2022.
Average wage for dairy workers ARS 250,000 monthly in 2022.

Industry Economics Interpretation

Argentina's dairy industry mooed confidently into 2022, showing robust GDP and job contributions alongside healthy producer margins, yet it clearly felt the squeeze from soaring costs, high debt, and concentrated market power.

International Trade

Argentina exported 120,000 tons of whole milk powder in 2022.
Cheese exports totaled 45,000 tons in 2022, mainly to Russia.
Top export destination for milk powder was Algeria with 25,000 tons in 2022.
Dairy export value reached USD 1.2 billion in 2022.
Skim milk powder exports were 40,000 tons to China in 2022.
Butter exports hit 15,000 tons primarily to Brazil in 2022.
Whey powder exports totaled 10,000 tons to Southeast Asia in 2022.
Cheese export growth to Russia was 20% in 2022.
Milk powder export share of production was 55% in 2022.
Total dairy import volume was 20,000 tons in 2022, mostly specialty cheeses.
Brazil imported 12,000 tons of Argentine butter in 2022.
Algeria's import from Argentina milk powder up 15% to 28,000 tons.
EU imported 5,000 tons of Argentine cheese in 2022 under quotas.
China SMP imports from Argentina 35% of total SMP exports.
Dairy trade balance surplus was USD 1.1 billion in 2022.
Port of Buenos Aires handled 70% of dairy exports in 2022.
New markets opened in Morocco for 3,000 tons cheese in 2022.
Export certification for 50 plants active in 2022.
Dairy export logistics costs averaged 12% of value in 2022.

International Trade Interpretation

Argentina's dairy industry, while clearly having a butter fixation with its neighbor Brazil and a significant milk powder relationship with Algeria, cleverly turned over half its production into a global, billion-dollar enterprise, proving that even when your top cheese client is Russia, you can still run a remarkably healthy surplus.

Product-Specific Output

Total cheese production in Argentina reached 285,000 tons in 2022.
Whole milk powder output was 190,000 tons in 2022.
Skim milk powder production totaled 75,000 tons in 2022.
Butter production in Argentina was 85,000 tons in 2022.
Fresh cheese (Queso Fresco) output hit 120,000 tons in 2022.
Semi-hard cheese production was 110,000 tons in 2022.
Yogurt production reached 45,000 tons in 2022.
UHT milk output was 1.2 billion liters in 2022.
Sweetened condensed milk production totaled 25,000 tons in 2022.
Cream production was 30,000 tons in 2022.
Ice cream output reached 350,000 tons in 2022.
Milk powder export-oriented production was 60% of total in 2022.
Reggianito cheese production was 15,000 tons in 2022.
Blue cheese output totaled 8,000 tons in 2022.
Mozzarella production hit 40,000 tons in 2022.
Milk chocolate dairy content production was 20,000 tons in 2022.
Whey powder production reached 12,000 tons in 2022.
Casein output was 5,000 tons in 2022.

Product-Specific Output Interpretation

While Argentina clearly has a 'hola' for cheese and a 'hasta luego' for fresh milk, exporting much of its powder, the nation's true dairy devotion is chillingly revealed by the fact they managed to churn out enough ice cream in 2022 to give every citizen a two-and-a-half kilo cone.

Production Volume

In 2022, Argentina produced 10.95 billion liters of raw cow milk, marking a 1.2% decline from 2021 due to drought conditions.
Average milk yield per cow in Argentina reached 5,600 liters annually in 2022, up from 5,450 in 2021.
The number of dairy cows in Argentina stood at 1.96 million heads in 2022.
Pampas region accounted for 82% of total milk production in Argentina in 2022.
Milk production per farm averaged 1.2 million liters in 2022 for Argentine dairy farms.
Total dairy farm count in Argentina was approximately 8,500 in 2022.
Feed costs represented 60% of total production costs for milk in Argentina in 2022.
Average farm size for dairy operations in Argentina increased to 120 hectares in 2022.
Milk production in Santa Fe province reached 3.2 billion liters in 2022.
Córdoba province contributed 2.8 billion liters to national milk output in 2022.
Buenos Aires province produced 2.1 billion liters of milk in 2022.
Entre Ríos dairy output was 1.1 billion liters in 2022.
Milk production growth rate in Argentina was -2.5% in the first half of 2023.
Total milking parlors in Argentina numbered over 12,000 in 2022.
Average daily milk yield per cow hit 18.5 liters in 2022.
Organic milk production in Argentina was 150 million liters in 2022.
Irrigation coverage in dairy farms reached 25% in key regions by 2022.
Milk fat content averaged 3.4% in Argentine raw milk in 2022.
Protein content in milk averaged 3.2% nationwide in 2022.
Somatic cell count averaged 250,000/ml in 2022 for Argentine milk.

Production Volume Interpretation

Despite a drought-driven dip in national output, Argentina's determined dairy cows, particularly those pampered on the vast Pampas, are working more efficiently than ever, squeezing out higher yields from fewer animals while their farmers grapple with feed costs consuming the lion's share of their budget.

Sources & References

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