Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Senegalese market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats experienced fluctuations, with volume shifting from 2,694 tonnes in 2018 to 2,395 tonnes in 2023. The period was marked by efforts to develop local dairy processing through mini-dairies and ongoing dependence on imported milk powder, which shaped overall supply.

The market decline in 2021 to 2,460 tonnes was primarily driven by a sharp drop in domestic production to 1,545 tonnes, influenced by seasonal factors that limited local milk output and difficulties such as high water costs and herder migration. In response, imports of milk powder rose to 936 tonnes. The following year, market volume recovered to 2,624 tonnes as imports surged further to 1,095 tonnes, supported by public policies structuring the local dairy sector and expanding distribution channels through weekly markets and partnerships.

By 2023, the market contracted again to 2,395 tonnes, coinciding with government measures to stabilize food prices, including dairy products, through market regulation and adjustments to customs duties. Throughout the period, consumer preferences in urban areas continued to favor dairy products, while competition from imported milk powders remained a constant factor.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Senegal

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

After two years of growth, Senegal's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined. In 2020, the country produced 1 910.2 tons, marking a 2.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production overall increased by 2.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 949.3 tons, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 2.5%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

The export market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Senegal showed considerable volatility over the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 19.8 tons, which represented a sharp 78.0% drop compared to 2019. In contrast, the peak occurred in 2017, with a 14.3-fold difference between these two years. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 78.7%, while the most notable increase happened in 2019 with a 48.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Senegal's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports were Burkina Faso, the United Kingdom, and Mali. Burkina Faso accounted for 68.6% of exports in kind, followed by the United Kingdom at 9.2%, and Mali at 7.8%. Together, these three countries represented 85.7% of Senegal's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Senegal's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports also experienced significant fluctuations during these years. In 2020, export revenues fell to 65 thousand US dollars, a dramatic 62.1% decrease year-over-year. The lowest point was in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2017, with a 3.9-fold variation between these extremes. The largest increase in export value was recorded in 2019, rising by 2.6%.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, the leading buyers of Senegal's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats were Burkina Faso, the United Kingdom, and Bunkers. Burkina Faso contributed 36.9% of export value, the United Kingdom accounted for 20.7%, and Bunkers made up 19.9%. Collectively, these three destinations represented 77.5% of Senegal's total export value in this sector.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

Senegal's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 725.4 tons, a 5.8% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 26.3%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports to Senegal were France, Belgium, and Ukraine. France supplied 40.3% of imports in kind, Belgium provided 38.4%, and Ukraine contributed 4.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.2% of Senegal's total import volume in this category.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Senegal's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports also decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, import spending reached 2 602 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 10.6% reduction compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value dropped by 32.6%, equating to an average annual decrease of 12.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, Belgium, and Ukraine were the dominant players in the value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports to Senegal. France represented 45.5% of import value, Belgium accounted for 34.1%, and Ukraine made up 5.6%. Combined, these three sources constituted 85.3% of Senegal's total import expenditure in this sector.

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

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