Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Zambia experienced a notable contraction in 2019, falling to 2 754 t from 3 164 t the previous year. This was followed by a gradual recovery phase, with market size increasing steadily over the next three years to reach a peak of 3 671 t in 2022. The growth trajectory halted in 2023, when the market volume saw a marginal decrease to 3 650 t.

Domestic production mirrored this pattern, declining sharply in 2019 before rebounding strongly from 2020 onward. Output rose from 2 668 t in 2020 to 3 485 t in 2022, indicating that local manufacturing was the primary contributor to market supply. The parallel movement between production and total market volume underscores the market's reliance on domestically produced goods.

Net trade played a secondary role, with imports generally trending upward from 108 t in 2019 to 224 t in 2022, while exports remained minimal after 2019. The slight market dip in 2023 coincided with a small reduction in production and a minor drop in imports, suggesting a balanced adjustment across supply sources.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Zambia

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

In 2018, Zambia's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats reached its highest level at 3 120 tonnes. However, output declined sharply by 15.2% in 2019, dropping to 2 646 tonnes. In 2020, production showed a modest recovery, increasing by 0.9% to 2 668 tonnes.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

Zambia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports experienced significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at just 0.1 tonnes, representing a dramatic 99.9% decline from the previous year. In contrast, 2018 saw the highest export volume at 99.0 tonnes. By 2020, exports rebounded strongly to 4.9 tonnes, marking an extraordinary 4 749.3% increase compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Zambia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports were concentrated among three main destinations. Namibia accounted for 54.1% of total export volumes, followed by South Africa at 25.5%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 16.6%. Together, these three countries represented 96.2% of Zambia's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats showed considerable fluctuation during the 2017-2020 period. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.6 thousand US dollars, while 2018 saw the peak at 170.1 thousand US dollars. In 2020, export values recovered significantly to 22.9 thousand US dollars, representing a remarkable 3 541.0% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia was the largest market for Zambia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms, accounting for 45.3% of total export earnings. The Democratic Republic of the Congo followed with 25.5%, and South Africa with 22.0%. These three countries together represented 92.8% of Zambia's total export value in this category.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

Zambia's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats showed a generally upward trend between 2017 and 2020, with total imports increasing by 35.2% over this period. The lowest import volume occurred in 2019 at 108.1 tonnes, which represented a 24.3% decline from the previous year. In 2020, imports surged by 45.0% compared to 2019, reaching their highest level in the observed period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa dominated Zambia's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, accounting for 81.9% of total import volumes. The remaining imports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats followed a similar pattern to import volumes. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 554.1 thousand US dollars, while 2018 saw the highest at 948.9 thousand US dollars. In 2020, import values increased by 29.8% compared to the previous year, reaching 719.3 thousand US dollars. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 11.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa maintained a dominant position in Zambia's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports, consistently accounting for 81.4% of total import value. This high concentration indicates Zambia's strong reliance on South African suppliers, with the remaining imports coming from various other countries.

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

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