US export data suggests the benefits of whey protein are starting to get through to overseas end-users of dairy ingredients.
While overall US whey product export volumes managed good but unexciting 10% growth from 2010-2014, US value soared 73% over the same period. That was primarily due to a shift in US product mix to higher protein, higher value products.
In 2010, lower value sweet whey powder made up 56% of US volume. By 2014, that number had dropped to 46%. Whey powder essentially swapped places with whey protein concentrate (WPC) and whey protein isolate (WPI), which lifted their combined share of US export volume from from 44% to 54%.
Through six months of 2015, combined WPC and WPI volume accounted for 57% of total US whey exports. WPI shipments rose a whopping 83%, well on its way to a record. Perhaps the most impressive figure: WPI value January-June exceeded sweet whey powder $145.7 million to $131.8m.
The reason: “Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition,” says Veronique Lagrange, USDEC vice-president, strategy and insights. “No other single ingredient can improve muscle tone, prevent stunting, change body composition, stimulate muscle synthesis and growth, address abdominal fat and lower incidence of low birth rate.”
These posts from The US Dairy Exporter Blog make the same point, but in greater detail:
- Global Boom of 65+ Population Opens Door for US Whey Protein
- Research Confirms Benefits of Whey Protein
- Alpha-lactalbumin Golden Opportunity for US Dairy
- Milk Powder and Whey Pace US Dairy Exports in May
Work done by the Whey Protein Research Consortium, which is managed by Dairy Management, has been critical to securing dairy protein’s position in the most lucrative markets.
For 12 years, the Whey Protein Research Consortium has been working to document the unique benefits of whey proteins with a focus on body composition for an eventual science-based claim on package labels. The consortium is a pre-competitive, international group of whey suppliers, global customers and associations that includes USDEC and USDEC members.
