Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Egyptian market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats saw considerable volatility. Market volume dropped sharply in 2019 to 200 thousand tons from 249.4 thousand tons the previous year, then entered a recovery phase, reaching a peak of 248.5 thousand tons in 2022. The market value followed a similar pattern, climbing to 1.9 billion dollars in 2022. A correction occurred in 2023, with volume falling to 215.2 thousand tons and value to 1.5 billion dollars.

A key development in 2024 was the strengthened dominance of the Al-Saqr Group for Food Industries, which captured approximately 70% of butter trade in Egypt. The group operates as the exclusive agent for importing butter from New Zealand, the United States, and Europe, shaping supply channels and competitive dynamics within the sector.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Egypt ranked as the 17th largest producer of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from 2017 to 2020.

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

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

Following a two-year decline, Egypt's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats rebounded in 2020. That year, output reached 184.2 thousand tons, marking a 5.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, overall production fell by 20.2%, translating to an average annual decline of 7.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 174.6 thousand tons, which also saw the sharpest drop of 20.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Egypt's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in monetary terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 994 million US dollars, down 1.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 33.2%, averaging an annual decline of 12.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 662 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 39.2%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during the observed period. The lowest point was in 2019, with exports hitting a trough of 304 tons, representing a decline of 33.6%. In 2020, exports surged to 710 tons, a sharp increase of 133.3% compared to 2019, marking the peak for the period. The gap between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 2.3-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon, the United States, and Libya were the core markets for Egypt's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in volume terms. Lebanon accounted for 22.9% of exports, the United States for 20.5%, and Libya for 9.7%. Together, these three countries represented 53.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values exhibited noticeable fluctuations over the period. The lowest point was in 2019, with exports valued at 1.8 million US dollars, a decline of 49.3%. In 2020, export values rose to 3.8 million US dollars, a 117.6% increase year-over-year, reaching the peak. The swing from the trough in 2019 to the peak in 2020 was 2.2-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Lebanon, and Iraq were the key destinations for Egypt's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms. The United States accounted for 23.0% of exports, Lebanon for 21.2%, and Iraq for 10.5%. Collectively, these three markets made up 54.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

Egypt's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in volume terms increased to 36 812 tons in 2020, up 43.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 68.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 15.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, India, and Ireland were the leading sources for Egypt's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in volume terms. New Zealand accounted for 57.7% of imports, India for 14.3%, and Ireland for 6.3%. Together, these three countries represented 78.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Egypt's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms totaled 176.1 million US dollars, a 28.3% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 45.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 196.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 62.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 30.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, India, and Ireland played the leading roles in Egypt's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms. New Zealand accounted for 59.1% of imports, India for 14.7%, and Ireland for 5.5%. Collectively, these three sources made up 79.2% of total import flows.

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

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