Concentrated milk and cream market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Market volume for concentrated milk and cream in Africa grew from 212 000 t in 2018 to 236 000 t in 2019. This increase was supported by a 4.8% rise in the intake of unprocessed milk the previous year, attributed to lower raw milk prices, and by the expansion of processing capacity following Cape Harvest Food Group's acquisition of Ladismith Cheese Company. Volume then dropped to 198 000 t in 2020.

A sharp recovery followed in 2021, with the market reaching 261 000 t. This surge was driven by the end of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, which revived consumer demand, particularly for value-added dairy products like flavored milk. However, volume fell again to 190 000 t in 2022 as increased production costs led to an 11.3% rise in consumer prices for milk, eggs, and cheese, reducing consumption volumes.

The market rebounded to 236 000 t in 2023, aided by higher imports and a strategic shift among milk processors toward more profitable cheese production within the concentrated products segment. During the period, the market consolidated, with the number of producer-distributors falling 11% from 2019 to 2024 while milk output per producer rose 52%, and consumer preferences increasingly included plant-based alternatives.

Production concentrated milk and cream in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of concentrated milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated milk and cream, 2017-2020

In 2020, Africa produced 63,151 tonnes of concentrated milk and cream, marking a 7.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 68,189 tonnes, which represented a significant 25.3% increase. However, production saw its largest decline in 2019, dropping by 13.4%.

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

Exports concentrated milk and cream from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of concentrated milk and cream from Africa showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point came in 2019 with 13.1 thousand tonnes, while exports peaked in 2018 at 28.8 thousand tonnes, creating a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports reached 28.5 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp 117.9% increase compared to 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 54.7%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Africa's exports of concentrated milk and cream in value terms showed a modest recovery. In 2020, export value reached 51.1 million US dollars, reflecting a slight 1.3% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 50.5 million US dollars, which marked the largest decline of 6.3% during the period. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.8%.

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

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

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

Imports concentrated milk and cream to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa's imports of concentrated milk and cream in volume terms stood at 163.1 thousand tonnes in 2020, showing a notable 14.4% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 190.4 thousand tonnes, which represented the largest increase of 9.9% during the period. Over the 2017-2020 timeframe, imports decreased by 13.6%, with an average annual decline of 4.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Germany were the leading suppliers of concentrated milk and cream to Africa in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 27.7% of imports, Malaysia contributed 18.9%, and Germany represented 11.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 57.6% of Africa's total imports of concentrated milk and cream.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Africa's imports of concentrated milk and cream in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value amounted to 227.1 million US dollars, representing a 1.1% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.2%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.1%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Germany, and Malaysia remained Africa's key trading partners for concentrated milk and cream imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 27.8% of import value, Germany represented 12.4%, and Malaysia contributed 11.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 52.0% of Africa's total import value for concentrated milk and cream.

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

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