Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in South Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The South African butter and dairy fats market displayed notable volatility between 2018 and 2020. Market volume peaked at 37 491 tons in 2018 before contracting sharply by 16.5% to 31 286 tons the following year. A strong rebound of 17.9% followed in 2020, bringing the market back to 36 871 tons. In value terms, the swing was even more pronounced, falling from 177.3 million USD in 2018 to 122.2 million USD in 2019 and then recovering to 150.0 million USD in 2020.

From 2021 onward, the market entered a phase of stabilization with modest fluctuations. Volume remained relatively flat, hovering around 37 000 tons, and ended at 36 082 tons in 2023, marking a gradual decline of 2.5% over the three-year period. The market value continued a slow downward trend during this time, decreasing from 148.9 million USD in 2021 to 136.5 million USD in 2023.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2018-2021

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 35 746 tonnes, representing a significant 11.0% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 15.1%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 29 495 tonnes, with the largest decline of 5.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

South Africa's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 140.0 million US dollars, showing a modest 7.9% year-on-year gain. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 110.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 20.6%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020 with a 17.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, South Africa's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats have rebounded. In 2021, exports reached 2 849 tonnes, marking a 12.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 9.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 2 531 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia (35.0% of exports in volume), Mozambique (26.9%), and Botswana (11.0%) were the leading destinations for South Africa's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports. Together, these three countries accounted for 72.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

South Africa's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats have increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, export value reached 11 158 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual 9.5% gain from 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 4.5%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 636 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Namibia (30.6% of exports by value), Mozambique (26.7%), and Botswana (10.8%) formed the main cluster of markets for South Africa's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports. Together, these three countries represented 68.1% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, South Africa's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats totalled 4 419 tonnes, representing a sharp 38.5% drop from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 51.1%, with an average annual decline of 21.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 358 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 51.7%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020 with a 64.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018-2021, New Zealand (38.9% of imports in volume), Ireland (20.9%), and the United Kingdom (15.7%) were the core suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to South Africa. Together, these three countries accounted for 75.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats were valued at 20 038 thousand US dollars, down by 34.3% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 59.5%, with an average annual decline of 26.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 57.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 with a 44.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand (36.8% of imports by value), Ireland (21.5%), and the United Kingdom (14.4%) stood out as the main markets for South Africa's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports. Together, these three countries represented 72.7% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021