Argentina's dairy exports approach US$ 1 billion through July

Argentina's dairy product exports reached record levels between January and July 2026. During the period, 259,282 tonnes were shipped, equivalent to 1.8348 billion liters of milk, generating US$ 987 million in revenue.

Compared with the first seven months of 2025, the volume sold grew 24.8%, while milk-equivalent liters increased 20.4% and revenue rose 18.4%. The result was the highest in the historical series for the period, according to data from the Argentine Dairy Chain Observatory (OCLA) and the country's Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

The Brazilian market accounted for most of this movement. Brazil absorbed 51.2% of Argentina's dairy exports during the period, ahead of Algeria, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, and China. The proximity between the two countries and their trade integration help explain Brazil's share.

Powdered milk accounted for 40.6% of the export value, followed by different types of cheese at 27.8%. The export mix also included products such as whey, butter, mozzarella, and semi-hard cheeses.

Foreign sales represented 28.7% of Argentina's milk production in the first seven months of the year, a share equivalent to nearly three out of every ten liters produced. Domestic consumption also grew during the period, reaching 4.99 billion liters, up 4% from the same period of 2025.

Despite the record in volume and revenue, the average export price declined. The value per tonne was US$ 3,807, 5.1% below the figure recorded a year earlier. For powdered milk, the average was US$ 3,671 per tonne, a 7.1% drop.

The accumulated performance supports expectations that 2026 will end as Argentina's best year ever for dairy exports, if the pace observed through July continues.