Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats market in Central Asia remained stable in 2018‑2019 at around 242 thousand tons, influenced by ongoing economic sanctions and shifting consumption patterns that sustained demand. A sharp turn came in 2020 when the COVID‑19 pandemic boosted consumer demand for long‑shelf‑life dairy products like butter, pushing market volume up to 271 thousand tons.

Growth continued through 2021‑2023, fueled by a persistent consumer preference for natural dairy fats over substitutes, coupled with tighter state regulation including mandatory product labeling to combat adulteration. In 2023, despite some supply‑side constraints due to milk fat shortages, the market expanded to 296 thousand tons as increased imports and strong domestic demand offset production challenges.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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

Central Asia's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has grown for the third year in a row. In 2019, the region produced 242.4 thousand tons, which increased to 267.9 thousand tons in 2020—a rise of 10.5%. From 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 20.1%, averaging an annual increase of 6.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Central Asia's production value for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats fell. In 2019, output was valued at 1 176 million US dollars, but it dropped to 1 059 million US dollars in 2020, a decrease of 9.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The largest yearly increase occurred in 2018, at 9.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

After rising for two years, Central Asia's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined. In 2019, exports reached 6 376 tons, but they fell to 6 010 tons in 2020, a drop of 5.7%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 91.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.2%. The largest yearly increase was in 2019, at 55.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia was the primary buyer of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Central Asia, accounting for 77.8% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Central Asia's export value for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats decreased. In 2019, exports were valued at 30 916 thousand US dollars, but they dropped to 23 758 thousand US dollars in 2020, a significant decline of 23.2%. From 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 71.6%, averaging an annual rise of 19.7%. The largest yearly increase was in 2019, at 66.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Central Asia in value terms were highly concentrated, with Russia and Mongolia together accounting for 81.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Central Asia's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats increased. In 2019, imports were 6 396 tons, rising to 9 054 tons in 2020—a sharp advance of 41.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 23.9%, with an average annual decline of 8.7%. The largest yearly drop occurred in 2018, at 34.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belarus (24.2% of imports in volume), Ukraine (15.2%), and Russia (14.9%) led the import structure for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Central Asia, together representing 54.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of decline, Central Asia's import value for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats rose. In 2019, imports totaled 29 410 thousand US dollars, increasing to 37 978 thousand US dollars in 2020—an abrupt gain of 29.1%. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 25.8%, with an average annual decline of 9.5%. The largest yearly drop was in 2018, at 35.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Central Asia in value terms were Belarus (26.1% of imports), France (19.5%), and Ukraine (15.6%), together forming 61.2% of total imports.

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

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