Whey protein has become an unexpected casualty of the escalating trade dispute between the United States and Canada. Canada imposed 50% tariffs on American whey, while the United States moved to bar American businesses from buying several Canadian-made products, including whey protein concentrate. Canadian producers face the sharper supply squeeze because processed whey is scarce domestically and alternatives such as pea protein require costly product reformulation. U.S. consumers are also exposed to higher prices after whey concentrate reached a record $13 per pound in June, up 250% from a year earlier. Prices later eased to about $10 to $11 per pound, but analysts expect inflation in whey-based ready-to-mix and ready-to-eat products through year-end and early next year.