Concentrated milk and cream market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The concentrated milk and cream market in the SADC region showed considerable movement between 2018 and 2023. It expanded sharply in 2019 to reach 87 929 t, primarily due to a spike in imports that more than compensated for a drop in domestic output. This peak was followed by a contraction in 2020, pulling the market size down to 79 435 t.

In the latter part of the period, from 2021 to 2023, the market volume gradually decreased to 80 276 t. This trend coincided with a steady decline in import volumes, which fell from over 30 000 t in 2019 to 18 514 t in 2023, while local production recovered and stabilized above 62 000 t. The net effect was a market that became less reliant on foreign supply.

By 2023, the SADC market for concentrated milk and cream had settled at approximately 80 000 t. Domestic production provided the bulk of supply, having grown to 64 222 t, indicating a structural shift toward greater regional self-sufficiency over the six-year span.

Production concentrated milk and cream in SADC

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, SADC produced 61 930 tonnes of concentrated milk and cream, marking a moderate increase of 7.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 66 942 tonnes, which saw the largest annual increase of 25.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 13.6%.

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

Exports concentrated milk and cream from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 210 tonnes, then surged to a peak in 2020 at 9 616 tonnes, representing a dramatic 4,487.7% increase year-over-year. The difference between these years was substantial, with the 2020 volume being 46 times higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 97.4%.

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

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, SADC's concentrated milk and cream exports declined in 2020 to 16 889 thousand US dollars, down 20.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 13.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 308 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Congo consistently held the largest share of SADC's concentrated milk and cream exports in value terms, accounting for 1.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports concentrated milk and cream to SADC

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, SADC imported 27 121 tonnes of concentrated milk and cream, a notable decrease of 10.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 25.6%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 7.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 20 025 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 30 308 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 51.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia (43.7% of imports in volume), Brazil (6.4%), and Ireland (4.7%) were the primary sources for SADC's concentrated milk and cream imports, collectively representing 54.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Concentrated milk and cream imports into SADC increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 16 889 thousand US dollars, a significant rise of 13.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 34.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, SADC's concentrated milk and cream imports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. Malaysia (27.9% of imports), France (8.0%), and Brazil (7.9%) together accounted for 43.9% of total imports, while numerous smaller destinations made up the remaining 56.1%.

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

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