SWP
WPC-80 finally gives in, what will that do to prices of the other whey products?
Europe
A few odd changes in whey powder, but the main changes in the whey domain are in WPC-80
Whey powder had its odd twists and turns over the last couple of weeks but the resulting price change versus last month is limited. The feed whey market did weaken but recently stabilized again at a level around EUR 1700, delivered Netherlands. In food whey prices at the top end of the range appreciated just a bit to EUR 2100 but conventional product trades at EUR 1900 or higher. Occasionally Eastern EU product may trade slightly below that floor. All food whey prices are ex works. The key developments in WPC-80 and wider milk proteins are addressed in the separate section below.
Americas
Prices of SWP and WPC-80 move in opposite directions
At a moment in time that WPC-80 is offered at lower prices week after week, dry whey prices continue to move up. Lower tier product is traded at USD 0.80-0.85/lb (1765-1875/t) while top tier brands are changing hands around USD 0.95/lb (2095/t). Strong export demand had already tightened the SWP market ahead of the booking season for 2027, so when a major supplier had to announce contract cancellations due to operational problems prices had nowhere to go but up.
Nice to know
Milk proteins on the move!
After climbing from below EUR 5/kg in mid 2023 to a peak level of EUR 28.5/kg for occasional transactions in mid-2026, WPC-80 prices are finally cooling down. One reason? Sports nutrition manufacturers have started replacing part of their whey protein with MPC, caseinates and other milk proteins to keep costs under control. This has pushed MPC prices from EUR 8 to 15/kg, while caseins and caseinates are also rising fast.
But where does WPC-80 go from here? With WPC-80 and MPC prices now getting close, the cost advantage of blending is disappearing. Why settle for a substitute if you can get the ‘real deal’ at nearly the same price? Of course, it takes time for commodity prices to filter through to retail shelves, so things could look very different by Q1 or Q2 2027. The big question is whether consumers will stick with blended proteins or switch back to pure whey once prices allow. That makes the WPC-80 outlook anything but predictable.
Need market insights or sourcing SWP?
Speak with your local Interfood specialist
Our team closely monitors global dairy markets and works with a wide network of milk suppliers. Whether you need market insights or reliable milk supply, Interfood specialists are ready to help you navigate the market.
Contact us
More insights
If you're interested in SWP, you may also like these topics:
