Dairy imports fall in April, but annual increase widens trade deficit

Brazilian dairy foreign trade lost momentum in April, with both imports and exports declining, although shipments abroad fell more sharply. According to Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex) data analyzed by Cepea, imports totaled 218.38 million liters in milk equivalent, down 10% from March. Exports, in turn, fell 28.67% in the same comparison, to 3.99 million liters in milk equivalent.

The chart below highlights the rise in milk and cream imports into Brazil, according to data compiled by Datamar:

Milk and Cream Imports | 2023 – 2026 | TEUs

Fonte: DataLiner (clique aqui para solicitar uma demonstração)

As a result, Brazil’s dairy trade deficit narrowed 9.6% from March, ending April at 214.38 million liters in milk equivalent. In value terms, the deficit stood at US$91.41 million, down 4% month on month.

Compared with April 2025, however, the picture was less favorable. Exports fell 14%, while imports rose 34.1%. As a result, the sector’s trade deficit by volume increased 35.53% from the same month last year.

On the import side, powdered milk remained Brazil’s main dairy import item in April, accounting for 69.2% of the total. Even so, the volume unloaded fell 22.95% from March, to 151.1 million liters in milk equivalent. Cheese imports gained share in the basket, accounting for 30.1% of total purchases, with a 46.75% increase from the previous month.

In exports, condensed milk and cheese remained the main products shipped. Condensed milk accounted for 21.9% of total exports in April, but foreign sales fell 34.74% from the previous month, to 874,900 liters in milk equivalent. Cheese, which represented 39.7% of shipments, also declined, falling 23.1% to 1.59 million liters in milk equivalent.

From a foreign trade perspective, April’s performance shows that, even with the slowdown in imports, Brazil remains heavily dependent on the external market for dairy supply, especially powdered milk and cheese. For maritime logistics, this profile preserves the relevance of refrigerated import flows and processed products in both coastal shipping and long-haul trade, particularly in regional trade with the main suppliers in the Southern Cone.

Source: Cepea

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