Last Updated on February 15, 2025
Milk in Bolivia isn’t as inexpensive as you might anticipate. In fact, it’s only about 30% cheaper than milk in the United States and other developed countries, despite being subsidized by the Bolivian government. Nevertheless, you can find milk in Bolivia for as low as $3 per gallon from reputable and safe brands.
The cost of a gallon of milk (3.75 L) in Bolivia is approximately $3.50 (Bs 24). A standard bag of milk (0.25 gal) costs around $0.86 (Bs 6). Depending on the producer and type, this price can range from $2.86 to $4.87 (Bs 20 to Bs 32). In premium markets and exclusive locations, a gallon of milk can reach up to $5.14 (Bs 38).
Here, we’ll examine the cost of milk in Bolivia, considering different types and brands, as well as where it’s sold. You’ll learn all the details about milk prices in Bolivia for various sizes and even how these costs are projected to evolve in the future. We are Bolivian real estate experts (see our Bolivian real estate website).
The Cost of Milk in Bolivia
Milk in Bolivia is primarily sold in 0.25-gallon bags, which are roughly equivalent to 1 liter. These 0.25-gallon bags of milk *typically range in price from $0.71 to $0.93 (Bs 5 to Bs 6.50) in 90% of cases*. Occasionally, milk can be significantly more expensive, for instance, when purchased from premium brands like Delizia or Nestle, or in upscale supermarkets.
The primary milk producer in Bolivia is Pil Andina, a government-owned company that holds approximately 80% of the market share. *Nearly everyone in Bolivia purchases Pil Andina’s milk*. The price for a standard bag of natural milk (0.25 gal) from this brand is $0.86 (Bs 6), making a gallon cost $3.43 (Bs 24).
Now, let’s examine the detailed costs of milk in Bolivia based on various producers, types, and situations.
| Milk Producer and Type | Cost of Milk (1 gal) | Cost of Milk (0.25 gal, 1 bag) | Market Share (%) |
| Pil Andina Milk | $3.43 (Bs 24) | $0.86 (Bs 6) | >75% |
| Kream Milk | $3.14 (Bs 22) | $0.79 (Bs 5.50) | <15% |
| Delizia Milk | $3.43 (Bs 24) | $0.86 (Bs 6) | <5% |
| EBA Milk (state-owned corp.) | $2.86 (Bs 20) | $0.71 (Bs 5) | <5% |
| Artisanal Milk | $2.86 (Bs 20) | $0.71 (Bs 5) | <1% |
| Organic Milk | $5.71 (Bs 40) | $1.43 (Bs 10) | <1% |
| Powdered Milk (Pil, 760 g) | $6.36 (Bs 44.50) | – | – |
| Reduced-Fat Milk (Pil) | $3.71 (Bs 26) | $0.93 (Bs 6.50) | – |
| Skimmed Milk (Pil) | $3.43 (Bs 24) | $0.86 (Bs 6) | – |
| Milk in Supermarkets | 15% overpriced (10%-40%) | 15% overpriced (10%-40%) | – |
Milk is typically sold in small grocery stores located in every neighborhood across the country. These stores are just a short walk from most homes. The majority of Bolivians purchase milk from these small stores. However, if you buy milk from large supermarkets in expensive neighborhoods, it will be overpriced by about 10% to 20%. Affluent individuals and foreigners residing in these areas often pay this premium.
For most of the population, purchasing a bag of milk from Pil Andina or Kream is sufficient. *These two companies produce high-quality milk* that is safe to consume.
The Price of Milk in Bolivia is Subsidized
It’s important to note that most milk in Bolivia is subsidized. It should cost more, but the government, which owns Pil Andina, *currently subsidizes part of its production*. Therefore, the market price is lower than it would be based on production costs alone.
Furthermore, the Bolivian government owns and manages another company, EBA, which primarily supports small rural milk producers. You can find EBA milk in most supermarkets in Bolivia at an affordable price of $2.86 (Bs 20) per gallon.
Be Aware of Potential Overpricing for Tourists
If you purchase milk in Bolivia within tourist areas or tourist restaurants, or from nearby grocery stores, it might be significantly overpriced, with a markup of 30% to 70% above its original cost.
Therefore, be cautious about this potential. You shouldn’t pay more than $1 for a standard 0.25-gallon bag of milk in the country, or $4 for a gallon, unless there are no other alternatives.
If you purchase a cup of milk (1/16 gallon) in tourist restaurants, *it may cost between $1 and $3*. To save money, simply buy a bag of milk from a regular grocery store.
Pil Andina Produces Almost All the Milk Sold in Bolivia
Currently, this state-owned company, Pil Andina, is by far the leading producer and seller of milk in Bolivia, accounting for over 80% of the market share. Pil Andina receives government subsidies, allowing it to sell milk at a lower price than it otherwise would.
The other company, which is private but also holds a significant market share, is Kream. This company also produces high-quality milk, and you shouldn’t have any concerns about consuming it.
Cost of Different Types of Milk in Bolivia
Now, let’s delve into some details about different brands and types of milk produced and sold in Bolivia, along with their corresponding costs.
Pil Andina Milk
As previously mentioned, Pil Andina is Bolivia’s primary milk producer. This company produces natural milk, as well as various variations of this beverage, including reduced-fat, skimmed, powdered, condensed milk, etc. It’s by far the preferred company for most Bolivians, as it appears to pose no health risks.
You shouldn’t encounter any issues when purchasing from this company, as it maintains high production standards.
The prices for a 0.25-gallon bag of milk from Pil Andina range from $0.86 to $0.93 (Bs 6 to Bs 6.50) for different varieties, such as natural milk, reduced-fat milk, and skimmed milk. It will cost around $1 in major supermarkets.
Kream Milk
Kream is another large company that produces milk in Bolivia. It also produces high-quality milk *and has prices almost identical to those of Pil Andina*. It has a somewhat different taste; it’s up to you to decide if you find it more appealing than Pil Andina’s milk.
This company currently holds around 20% of the market share in the country, and its 0.25-gallon bags of milk will cost you approximately $1.
EBA Milk (Government Producer)
This is another government-owned company *that primarily assists in selling milk from small rural producers*. Therefore, it doesn’t produce any milk itself; rather, it acts as a distributor for small producers in Bolivia’s rural areas.
Milk from this company isn’t available everywhere; you’ll primarily find this brand in major supermarkets across the country. It’s also not the preferred choice for the majority of the Bolivian population, *possibly because it’s a relatively new initiative*.
Organic Milk
There are also small organic stores throughout Bolivia where you can purchase organic milk produced from plant-based sources, such as soy, quinoa, etc. You’ll find this milk *in specialized organic stores*, but it will cost 100% to 200% more than regular milk in Bolivia.
Therefore, a 0.25-gallon bag of organic milk will cost you approximately $1.13 to $2.17 (Bs 8 to Bs 15), depending on the brand.
Artisanal Milk
There’s another type of handcrafted milk that is not organic but rather artisanal. It’s sourced from rural workers who come to the cities and sell it on some streets in unbranded bottles. It tends to cost less than regular milk, around $0.71 (Bs 5) for a 0.25-gallon bottle, but its price can vary from seller to seller.
This milk is not organic; it comes from cows, but it’s produced in an artisanal manner and lacks a brand name.
Warning:
Milk sold this way on the streets by rural producers may contain impurities and carry salmonella and other diseases. You should always boil this milk thoroughly before consuming it. *Only purchase it if you are fully aware of the risks and know how to handle it properly*.
Skimmed Milk, Reduced-Fat Milk, and Powdered Milk
Different variations and types of milk, such as skimmed, reduced-fat, or powdered milk, *will generally cost almost the same as natural milk*. For instance, skimmed milk has the same price as natural milk, and reduced-fat milk is only about 10% more expensive.
Nearly 2 pounds of powdered milk will cost you around $7 (Bs 49) from Pil Andina. We recommend purchasing from this brand when seeking alternative types of milk in the country.
Milk in Small Grocery Stores
As we mentioned earlier, almost all the milk sold in Bolivia is distributed through small grocery stores located on the corners of nearly every neighborhood in Bolivia.
Neighborhoods in Bolivia can have small businesses within them and are not solely residential. Therefore, people and homeowners *tend to open these small grocery stores* to sell candies, bread, and basic food items like milk, sugar, salt, etc.
In these small stores, milk will have the prices mentioned previously.
Milk in Large Supermarkets
On the other hand, expensive and affluent neighborhoods (link) also have premium supermarkets similar to those in developed countries, such as Best Buy or Costco, where you can find a wide variety of groceries and food, including many types of milk and milk brands. Wealthy individuals in these neighborhoods tend to shop at these supermarkets.
Typically, almost any type of food, including milk, *will be overpriced by 10% to 20%* in premium supermarkets.
How is the Cost of Milk Expected to Evolve?
As previously stated, milk is currently subsidized in Bolivia for the entire population. Therefore, there’s significant pressure from time to time to lift this subsidy. There have even been some social conflicts on this matter recently. However, *it’s highly unlikely that the price of milk will change in the medium term or coming years*.
The cost of milk in Bolivianos (Bs) has remained constant for over a decade. However, if it changes, it will likely increase to between $4.00 and $4.50 (Bs 28 to Bs 31.50) per gallon of milk, and no more. Therefore, a bag (0.25 L) of milk would cost between $1.00 and $1.14 (Bs 7 to Bs 8).
Conclusions:
In this guide on the cost of milk in Bolivia, you’ve learned that it’s typically sold in 0.25-gallon bags, priced between $0.70 and $1. This range depends on the type of milk and the brand you choose. You’ve seen that Pil Andina is currently the market leader, offering various types of milk at prices around $0.90 for a 0.25-gallon bag.
You’ve also learned that there are other brands and types of milk, such as Kream, with prices almost identical to Pil Andina. Delizia, Nestle, and other premium brands will almost double the prices. Organic milk will also nearly double the price. Artisanal milk will be less expensive but riskier to consume. Milk variations, like skimmed and reduced-fat milk, will have nearly the same price.
Finally, you’ve realized that milk sold in tourist areas tends to be overpriced. If you want to save money, simply purchase it from local small grocery stores or large supermarkets, where you’ll find the same prices as elsewhere in the country.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you’d like to learn more about the detailed costs of food in Bolivia, for every category of food and beverages, with different servings and sizes, please visit our dedicated guide here: The cost of food in Bolivia: Everything you need to know.
CasasenBolivia.com, information on living, working, investing, and traveling in Bolivia.
