Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Western Africa experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After an initial decline to 88 294 tons in 2019, consumption recovered to nearly 92 891 tons in 2020, the highest point in the period. A sharp contraction followed in 2021, but the market then stabilized around 84 000 tons, reaching 82 654 tons by 2023.

The post-2020 slowdown was largely due to a steep fall in imports, which were nearly halved from 2018 levels to 9 539 tons in 2023. Domestic production, in contrast, showed steady growth, rising from 72 076 tons to 75 898 tons over the six-year span, partly compensating for the reduced foreign supply.

In 2024, key agricultural developments in Ghana included improved livestock health measures, favorable weather conditions, and the absence of major disease outbreaks, all supporting dairy farming. Concurrently, government policy moves aimed at regulating and diversifying tree crop sectors, such as oil palm and shea, indicated shifts in the broader agricultural landscape.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Western Africa

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

Western Africa's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 77,445 tons, showing a steady rise of 3.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Western Africa have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 396 tons, representing a significant increase of 53.4% over 2019. The lowest level was in 2018 at 177 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 54.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in kind was highly diversified. The United States accounted for 14.4% of exports, the United Kingdom for 2.5%, and India for 2.3%, together making up only 19.3% of total flows. The remaining 80.7% was distributed among a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports in value terms varied significantly, with a 3.6-fold difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Western Africa's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports amounted to 1,188 thousand US dollars, up by 174.7% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 332 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 42.2%.

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

The export structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diverse set of trading partners. The United States contributed 11.6% of exports, France 6.2%, and the Netherlands 5.7%, together accounting for 23.6% of total flows. The remaining 76.4% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports in kind peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into Western Africa totaled 15,842 tons, which is 16.4% higher than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 20,032 tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 32.1%. The largest increase was in 2018 at 82.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, New Zealand, and France were the key partners for imports in kind. Indonesia accounted for 27.2% of imports, New Zealand for 21.6%, and France for 17.8%, together making up 66.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats into Western Africa have increased. In 2020, imports totaled 42,158 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp rise of 42.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.4%, with an average annual decline of 4.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 29,636 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 38.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, France, and Indonesia remained the main suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Western Africa in value terms. New Zealand accounted for 45.8% of imports, France for 23.8%, and Indonesia for 7.2%, jointly forming 76.8% of total imports.

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

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