Milk Powder Market Data, Standards and Trade

Editorial evidence reviewedReviewed 2026-09-10Release 2026-09-19-batch-230

Market value

$37.56

Producing countries tracked

11

Grading systems

1

Active supply risks

6

Trade corridors

6

Latest reviewed evidence

The trade and production figures below are USDA Foreign Agricultural Service forecasts published in July 2026. Codex CXS 207-1999 and USDA records define milk-powder identities, composition and grade boundaries. These dated forecasts and standards are not current lot availability, a current physical offer or a live delivered milk-powder price.

Major-exporter skim milk powder exports

2.073

million metric tons · calendar year 2026 forecast

Major-exporter whole milk powder exports

1.875

million metric tons · calendar year 2026 forecast

New Zealand whole milk powder exports

1.5

million metric tons · calendar year 2026 forecast

European Union skim milk powder production

1.48

million metric tons · calendar year 2026 forecast

Codex skim milk powder maximum milkfat

1.5

percent by mass · CXS 207-1999 amended 2023

Codex milk-powder maximum water

5

percent by mass · CXS 207-1999 amended 2023

Skim, whole, partly skimmed and cream powders are separate products

Codex defines milk powders as products obtained by partial removal of water from milk or cream, but separates them by milkfat: cream powder has at least 42 percent milkfat; whole milk powder has at least 26 percent and less than 42 percent; partly skimmed powder has more than 1.5 percent and less than 26 percent; and skimmed milk powder has no more than 1.5 percent. Each has a 5 percent maximum-water criterion and a minimum milk-protein share in milk solids-not-fat. Filled powders, whey powders, casein, milk-protein concentrates and formulas have different identities and cannot inherit these observations.

Composition, heat class, functionality, plant, lot and package travel with the powder

Fat and protein class alone are insufficient. Physical records retain milk species and treatment, manufacturing process and heat class, instantized or agglomerated status, bulk density, wettability and dispersibility where relevant, solubility index, scorched particles, flavor, color, microbiological and contaminant criteria, fortification or additives, plant approval, lot and certificates, production and best-before dates, bag or consumer-pack construction, pallet and net weight and storage conditions. USDA's roller-process nonfat dry milk grades further distinguish U.S. Extra and Standard using flavor, appearance, bacterial estimate, milkfat, moisture, scorched particles, solubility and acidity.

SMP and WMP forecasts do not determine a delivered powder price

USDA FAS's July 2026 forecast places major-exporter skim milk powder exports at 2.073 million metric tons and whole milk powder exports at 1.875 million. New Zealand WMP exports are forecast at 1.5 million metric tons, while EU SMP production is forecast at 1.48 million. These dated aggregates cover different products, compositions, plants, packages, destinations and contracts. A delivered price still requires a defined lot, permitted current physical evidence, quantity, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window and information vintage.

Questions procurement teams ask

Are skim milk powder and whole milk powder interchangeable?

No. Codex separates them principally by milkfat composition, and their functionality, uses, storage behavior and prices differ. The exact identity and analysis must remain attached.

Is nonfat dry milk the same as every skim milk powder?

No. The terms overlap commercially, but the governing national or international identity, process, grade and composition must be stated. USDA nonfat dry milk grades add process and quality criteria that a generic skim-powder label does not capture.

What do the 2.073 and 1.875 million metric tons represent?

They are USDA FAS July 2026 forecasts for 2026 exports by the listed major exporters of skim milk powder and whole milk powder respectively. They are not current lot offers or delivered prices.

Which fields make physical milk-powder offers comparable?

Exact product identity and governing standard, milk species and treatment, milkfat, moisture and protein basis and tests, process and heat class, instantization and functional specifications, microbiological and residue criteria, solubility and scorched-particle limits, plant and lot, certificates, production and best-before dates, package and net weight, storage conditions, origin, quantity, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window and evidence date.