Concentrated milk and cream market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

Lebanon's concentrated milk and cream market began the period with significant reliance on imports, particularly from European countries and Argentina, which helped sustain a market volume of 7 993 tons in 2018. This import dependence lessened notably by 2020, coinciding with a sharp contraction that brought the market down to 5 711 tons, as both domestic production and import volumes fell substantially.

From 2021 to 2023, the market showed a partial recovery, stabilizing around 6 000 tons. Domestic production remained relatively steady near 5 900 tons during these years, while imports stayed at a fraction of their pre-2020 levels, indicating a sustained shift in supply sources for the market.

By 2024, import volumes increased to 275 tons, reflecting broader influences such as rising demand from the bakery and confectionery sectors and consumer preference for halal-certified and clean-label dairy products. These factors are shaping recent market dynamics, even as domestic production levels have shown little change.

Production concentrated milk and cream in Lebanon

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

Lebanon's production of concentrated milk and cream saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, the country produced 5 645 tonnes, marking an 8.5% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.5% overall, which translates to an average annual rate of 4.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 6 170 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 with a 23.1% rise.

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

Exports concentrated milk and cream from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The market for concentrated milk and cream exports from Lebanon displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon exported 149 tonnes, representing a 31.1% increase compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 60 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 66.4%. Conversely, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 88.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Turkey were the leading destinations for Lebanon's concentrated milk and cream exports in volume terms. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 33.6% of exports, followed by the United States at 29.6%, and Turkey at 17.0%. Together, these three countries represented 80.1% of Lebanon's total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Lebanon's concentrated milk and cream exports showed an unstable trend over the timeframe. Exports reached their highest value in 2020 and their lowest in 2018, with a 3.7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Lebanon exported 433 thousand US dollars worth of concentrated milk and cream, indicating a 79.2% gain compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 118 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 44.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 105.7% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Turkey were the key partners for Lebanon's concentrated milk and cream exports in value terms. The United Arab Emirates held a 33.4% share, the United States accounted for 28.2%, and Turkey represented 5.3%. Collectively, these three countries made up 66.9% of Lebanon's total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports concentrated milk and cream to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon's imports of concentrated milk and cream experienced noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their peak in 2018 and their trough in 2020, with a 9.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Lebanon imported approximately 215 tonnes, equivalent to a sharp year-on-year drop of 85.1%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 989 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market structure for Lebanon's concentrated milk and cream imports was highly concentrated. The Netherlands alone was responsible for 91.1% of total imports in volume terms during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Lebanon's concentrated milk and cream imports showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2018 and bottomed in 2020, differing by a factor of 8.8. In 2020, the import volume amounted to 461 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep decline of 87.7% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 053 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 11.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Lebanon's concentrated milk and cream imports were largely oriented towards the Netherlands. The Netherlands' share in total imports in value terms reached 91.3% during this timeframe.

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

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