Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Saudi Arabia expanded considerably over the period from 2018 to 2023. Total market volume increased from 47 512 t to 78 203 t, representing growth of nearly 65% across the six-year span. This upward trend was not linear, with the pace of expansion varying significantly from year to year.

A pivotal surge occurred in 2020, when the market volume jumped by over 27% to reach 63 415 t. Following this peak, growth moderated in 2021 before regaining momentum, with consistent increases recorded in 2022 and 2023. The latter year saw the market rise by more than 16% to its highest point within the reviewed period.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Saudi Arabia

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

Saudi Arabia's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 16 019 tonnes, marking a moderate 4.9% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 17.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats output in Saudi Arabia reached 84 591 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 11.5% improvement compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 22.5%, with an annualized rate of 7.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.3%, while the biggest decline was in 2019 at 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, t

Saudi Arabia's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 8 201 tonnes, a robust 17.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 37.7%, averaging 11.3% per year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 5 584 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.2%. In contrast, the biggest increase was in 2019 at 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Oman were the primary markets for Saudi Arabia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports in volume terms. The UAE accounted for 37.0% of exports, Kuwait for 24.7%, and Oman for 17.0%, together making up 78.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Saudi Arabia's cross-border shipments of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 43.3 million US dollars, up 25.2% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 43.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 12.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Oman were the main destinations for Saudi Arabia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports in value terms. The UAE represented 36.5% of exports, Kuwait 25.1%, and Oman 18.0%, collectively absorbing 79.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, t

Saudi Arabia's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 55 597 tonnes, a 34.6% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 15.9%, averaging 5.0% per year. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 39 405 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.9%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, New Zealand, Denmark, and France were the largest suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Saudi Arabia in volume terms. New Zealand contributed 42.4% of imports, Denmark 12.5%, and France 7.6%, together forming 62.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into Saudi Arabia reached 262.2 million US dollars, representing a robust 18.9% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 18.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 220.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, Denmark, and France were the main sources for Saudi Arabia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports in value terms. New Zealand accounted for 43.9% of imports, Denmark for 13.9%, and France for 9.1%, together making up 66.9% of total flows.

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

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