Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “Milk Equivalent Exports Show Strong Performance “, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
Dairy sector exports maintain strong momentum in 2026.
According to data from the Export Monitoring report prepared by the National Federation of Milk Producers (Fedeleche), from January to March 2026, shipments of milk equivalent totaled 130.6 million liters, registering an increase of 31.4% compared to the same period in 2025.
A large part of the export push was contributed by Condensed Milk, accounting for 31.8% of the total, with 9,821.6 tons, representing an increase of +14.9% compared to 2025.
In turn, Whole Powdered Milk (WPM), which contributed 24.0% of the total exported —with 7,165 tons—, showed a notable sales advance of +77.4% compared to the previous year. This performance positions them as the most dynamic categories in the national dairy portfolio in the first quarter of 2026.
In the case of Condensed Milk, the main destinations were the United States (72.6%), Peru (8.6%); Costa Rica (7.5%); Ecuador (5.5%), Honduras (2.5%). Meanwhile, the most relevant destinations for WPM have been Colombia with a predominant share of 59.7% of the total, while Cuba reached 11.7% and Guatemala reached 7.8%.
Other products such as Gouda cheese, with a share of 15.8% of the total, recorded growth of 13.4% compared to 2025, adding 2,434.0 tons, with sales mainly to Mexico (89.7%) and Asia: South Korea (5.6%), Japan (2.4%) and Peru (1.7%).
In the infant formula segment, its exports showed notable dynamism, growing +64.5% compared to the previous year and adding shipments of 1,448.6 tons. This product is directed to a diversified market, with Brazil being the main destination (44.7%), followed by Ecuador (25.2%), Nicaragua (7.1%) and the United States (5.4%).
Exports of dairy products during the first quarter of 2026 totaled US$ 80.3 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 24.6% compared to the same period in 2025.
The objective of Fedeleche's international market monitoring is to provide producers with relevant information to better understand the global dynamics of the dairy sector and its economic impact at the national level.
Source: Read the original article | Published: April 20, 2026