Concentrated milk and cream market in China

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the market volume for concentrated milk and cream in China expanded from 120.8 thousand tons to 132.3 thousand tons. This initial growth was supported by state policies such as the '14th Five-Year Plan for Dairy Competitiveness Improvement' and county-level production capacity projects, which aimed to strengthen supply chains, quality control, and product mix. However, environmental inspections led to the closure of some dairy farms, constraining raw milk supply. The market continued its stable expansion in 2019 amid consumption structure adjustments. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a contraction to 129.5 thousand tons as widespread farm losses and closures further reduced the national cattle herd.

Post-pandemic, market volume surged to 149.3 thousand tons in 2021 despite ongoing industry pressure from environmental and epidemic-related challenges. By 2022, overall milk production in the country had risen, easing raw material supply tightness, yet the market volume receded slightly to 144.6 thousand tons. The market stabilized at 144.8 thousand tons in 2023, reflecting two countervailing forces: domestic production of concentrated milk and cream increased to 130.5 thousand tons driven by scaling, standardization, and modernization of farming, while imports plummeted to 17.0 thousand tons. This import decline was linked to improved quality and safety of local dairy products, which reduced import dependency, with the overall pass rate of product sampling inspections reaching 99.87%.

Production concentrated milk and cream in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, China ranked as the 13th largest producer of concentrated milk and cream from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of concentrated milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

China's production of concentrated milk and cream grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 108 351 tonnes, marking a moderate year-over-year increase of 7.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, China's production of concentrated milk and cream rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 216.3 million US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 34.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.7%, averaging 3.8% per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 160.9 million US dollars, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 15.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports concentrated milk and cream from China

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, China's exports of concentrated milk and cream fell. In 2020, exports totaled 2 618 tonnes, down 12.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 2 996 tonnes, and the highest growth rate was in 2018 at 17.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong and North Korea were the primary markets for China's exports of concentrated milk and cream in volume terms, together making up 82.4% of total exports, while other partners accounted for the rest.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

China's exports of concentrated milk and cream in value terms grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 226 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 9.0% increase from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 9.3%, averaging 3.0% per year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 4 682 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline also in 2018 at 2.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hong Kong was the dominant buyer of concentrated milk and cream from China in value terms, accounting for 73.0% of total exports, with other countries sharing the remaining portion.

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

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

Imports concentrated milk and cream to China

Imports in kind, t

After two years of increases, China's imports of concentrated milk and cream in volume terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 34 711 tonnes, which is 31.5% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 2.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 34 711 tonnes, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 25.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Australia were the two leading sources for China's imports of concentrated milk and cream in volume terms, together accounting for 82.2% of total imports, while the rest was spread across various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, China's imports of concentrated milk and cream in value terms dropped. In 2020, imports amounted to 40 286 thousand US dollars, down 27.5% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 12.6%, with an average annual decline of 4.4%. The peak value was in 2019 at 55 570 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 14.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Australia were the key sources for China's imports of concentrated milk and cream in value terms, together representing 81.1% of total imports, with other markets making up the remainder.

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

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