Concentrated milk and cream market in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated milk and cream in Sub-Saharan Africa showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023, with volume swinging from 148.3 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 195.1 thousand tons in 2019, then dropping to 141.0 thousand tons in 2020. It recovered to 188.8 thousand tons in 2021, fell to 152.3 thousand tons in 2022, and rose again to 168.2 thousand tons in 2023. These movements were largely driven by fluctuations in imports, which varied from 106.3 thousand tons in 2020 to 148.9 thousand tons in 2019.

The market expansion in 2019 was supported by increased imports from the European Union, particularly to Nigeria, which boosted regional supply. In 2023, growth resumed due to rising consumption driven by population growth and health-conscious trends, alongside expanded production in South Africa facilitated by new trade protocols with China and higher disposable incomes.

From 2022 onward, shifting consumer preferences began to influence the market structure, with growing demand for organic, locally sourced products and plant-based alternatives, especially in South Africa. However, conventional concentrated milk remained the dominant segment, sustaining overall market volume.

Production concentrated milk and cream in Sub-Saharan 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 Sub-Saharan Africa, production of concentrated milk and cream reached 63 151 tonnes in 2020, marking a modest increase of 7.0% compared to 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 from the prior year. However, production declined by 13.4% in 2019, marking the largest drop during this period.

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

Exports concentrated milk and cream from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of concentrated milk and cream from Sub-Saharan Africa showed notable fluctuations during the period. The lowest point occurred in 2019 with 12.8 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial 54.3% decline. This was followed by a dramatic recovery in 2020, when exports surged to 28.4 thousand tonnes - a remarkable 121.9% increase compared to 2019. The difference between the 2019 low and 2020 high represents a 2.2-fold gap in export volumes.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan 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 Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After experiencing declines for two consecutive years, cross-border shipments of concentrated milk and cream from Sub-Saharan Africa showed signs of recovery. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019 at 49.7 million US dollars, following a 6.2% decrease in 2018. In 2020, exports reached 50.9 million US dollars, representing a slight 2.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan 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 Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports concentrated milk and cream to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Sub-Saharan Africa's imports of concentrated milk and cream totaled 106.3 thousand tonnes in 2020, representing a significant 28.6% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 148.9 thousand tonnes, which marked a substantial 37.7% increase from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 25%, equating to an average annual decrease of 9.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Belgium remained the primary suppliers of concentrated milk and cream to Sub-Saharan Africa. The Netherlands accounted for 31.1% of imports by volume, Malaysia contributed 26.1%, and Belgium supplied 5.5%. Together, these three countries represented 62.6% of total imports in kind to the region.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's imports of concentrated milk and cream reached 143.5 million US dollars, showing a robust contraction of 12.4% compared to the previous year. The lowest import value during the period was recorded in 2018 at 124.7 million US dollars, which represented a significant 24.5% decline. However, imports rebounded in 2019 with a substantial 31.4% increase. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.1%, translating to an average annual decline of 4.6%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Belgium formed the core of Sub-Saharan Africa's concentrated milk and cream imports by value. The Netherlands accounted for 31.5% of import value, Malaysia represented 18.0%, and Belgium contributed 5.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 55.1% of the total import value during this period.

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

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