Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Algeria contracted significantly from 18 749 t in 2018 to 13 884 t in 2020. This decline was primarily driven by a sharp drop in imports, which fell from 9 449 t to 4 883 t over the same period. The government's ongoing strategy to develop local dairy production, noted in 2019, aimed to reduce import dependency, contributing to the import reduction.

Market volume continued to decrease, reaching 12 062 t in 2023. In 2021, adverse climatic conditions, including drought, limited milk production, affecting butter output. The following year, new import-export rules and higher taxes on butter under the 2023 finance law further constrained imports, while a Ministry of Agriculture program sought to rebuild dairy herds and boost local milk supply.

By 2023, global butter price increases and broader inflationary pressures raised local prices, dampening industrial demand. In 2024, a mega-dairy farm project was launched in partnership with Baladna and GEA to expand local butter and oil production, and updated food labeling regulations were implemented.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

Algeria's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 9 001 tons, marking a 2.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Algeria

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, showing a dramatic 1 073-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Algeria exported 0.0 tons of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, representing a sharp year-on-year drop of 99.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 44 tons, with the largest increase occurring that same year at 387.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Mali, Qatar, and Cameroon were the top destinations for Algeria's exports in kind. Mali accounted for 65.6% of exports, Qatar for 14.3%, and Cameroon for 12.4%. Together, these three countries made up 92.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility over these years. Export values fluctuated significantly, with a 407-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. In 2020, Algeria exported 0.1 thousand US dollars worth of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, reflecting a steep 99.8% decline from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 39 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 173.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Mali, Qatar, and France were the leading contributors to Algeria's export value. Mali represented 56.5% of exports in value terms, Qatar 22.8%, and France 13.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 92.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Algeria

Imports in kind, t

Algeria's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats have decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 4 883 tons, showing a sharp 41.1% drop compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 48.7%, with an average annual decrease of 20.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand remained the primary supplier of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Algeria, accounting for 72.8% of total imports in kind. The remaining imports were distributed among various other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Algeria's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 20 796 thousand US dollars, which is 49.8% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 57.7%, with an average annual decline of 25.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 55 824 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 13.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, New Zealand played the dominant role in Algeria's imports in value terms, holding a 73.5% share of total flows. Other markets combined accounted for the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020