# Record Whey Prices Reflect Strong Global Protein Demand

> U.S. dry whey prices reached a record in October as export demand and competition for dairy proteins tightened available supplies. August exports set an all-time high, with shipments to Southeast Asia up 94% year over year and exports to Canada nearly quadrupling; 68% of U.S. dry whey production was exported, compared with 49% a year earlier.

- Date: 2026-11-06 · published 2026-11-06T15:08:49.450Z
- Category: trade · region United States · magnitude medium
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/84114-record-whey-prices-reflect-strong-global-protein-demand
- Commodities: [Milk (Class III)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/MILK.md)

## Why it matters

Strong export demand and manufacturers’ shift toward higher-value protein concentrates are tightening whey availability and supporting prices. Elevated prices may eventually curb demand, though the reported export growth provides a meaningful near-term demand driver.

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| MILK | 2026-07-03 | [Weekly protein report: Dry dairy prices slip as demand stays uneven
						 \| The Dairy Site](https://feedsoft.ai/events/8575-weekly-protein-report-dry-dairy-prices-slip-as-demand-stays-uneven-the-dairy.md) | +0.8% | +0.8% |
| MILK | 2016-08-02 | [Strong increase in dairy prices at latest Global Dairy Trade auction - Agriland.ie](https://feedsoft.ai/events/6036-strong-increase-in-dairy-prices-at-latest-global-dairy-trade-auction-agriland-ie.md) | +12.3% | +10.9% |
| MILK | 2021-03-02 | [Dairy prices surge 15 percent in global auction \| RNZ](https://feedsoft.ai/events/7527-dairy-prices-surge-15-percent-in-global-auction-rnz.md) | +4.5% | +3.5% |
| MILK | 2018-09-06 | [Global dairy prices take a hit \| 2018-09-06  \| Dairy Foods](https://feedsoft.ai/events/63186-global-dairy-prices-take-a-hit-2018-09-06-dairy-foods.md) | -2.5% | -4.5% |
| MILK | 2020-08-05 | [Dairy prices plummet at GDT auction as China demand slackens](https://feedsoft.ai/events/8829-dairy-prices-plummet-at-gdt-auction-as-china-demand-slackens.md) | -21.0% | -19.2% |

## Sources

- rfdtv.com: https://www.rfdtv.com/record-whey-prices-reflect-strong-global-protein-demand

---
Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.