Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Mauritania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Mauritania began the period at 3 249 t in 2018, supported by the development of local dairy processing, including the launch of the state-owned Boghé dairy project with a capacity of 30 000 liters per day. This expansion of domestic capacity was accompanied by a notable rise in mini-dairies and industrial plants collecting local milk. However, in 2019, the total market volume contracted sharply to 2 391 t, primarily due to a collapse in imports, which fell to 221 t.

Market volume rebounded strongly to 3 492 t in 2020, driven by a surge in imports of milk powder blended with vegetable fats. This influx was facilitated by West Africa's market opening to European dairy products under trade agreements, which increased the availability of competitive imported blends. Local production remained stable at around 2 138 t that year, as producers struggled to rival these cheaper imports. In 2021, the market grew further to 3 589 t, with local production increasing to 2 263 t thanks to improved sector organization, including support for small producers and centralized feed purchases to reduce costs.

By 2022, the market volume reached 3 863 t. Local production stabilized at 2 227 t, constrained by climate-related pressures threatening dairy herds. Imports continued their upward trend, reflecting ongoing competitive dynamics. The market expansion accelerated in 2023, climbing to 4 673 t. This growth was overwhelmingly fueled by imports, which jumped to 2 505 t, while domestic production experienced a slight decline to 2 169 t.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Mauritania

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

Mauritania's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 138 tons, marking a 1.5% decrease from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 4.2%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.4%. The highest output was in 2018 at 2 381 tons, when production surged by 16.1%. However, the following year saw the steepest drop, with a decline of 8.9% in 2019.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Mauritania

Market analysis reveals that Mauritania did not export any butter, dairy spreads, or milk fats between 2017 and 2020.

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Mauritania

Imports in kind, t

The import market for these products showed significant volatility over these years. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 221 tons, representing a sharp decline of 74.6%. By contrast, 2020 saw a dramatic rebound, with imports soaring to 1 354 tons—a year-on-year increase of 513.2%. This swing resulted in a peak-to-trough ratio of 6.1 times between the two years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Morocco dominated Mauritania's imports in volume, together accounting for 96.8% of the total. Other trading partners held only minor shares during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values also experienced notable fluctuations. In 2019, the minimum was recorded at 145.8 thousand US dollars, following a decline of 75.5%. The situation reversed in 2020, when imports surged to 758.2 thousand US dollars, up 420.1% from the previous year. This created a 5.2-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019.

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

In terms of value, France and Morocco were the key sources for Mauritania's imports from 2017 to 2020, jointly making up 97.9% of the total. The remaining imports were spread across various smaller markets.

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

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