Concentrated not sweetened milk and cream market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The concentrated not sweetened milk and cream market in Central Asia entered a growth phase starting in 2018, with production increasing from 15 001 t to 21 256 t by 2020. This initial expansion was supported by the active development of the local dairy industry, which leveraged available production capacity and raw material supplies to scale up output.

Market volume continued to rise, peaking at 30 782 t in 2021, a period characterized by growing dairy consumption across Asia that bolstered regional demand. The market experienced a contraction in 2022, with volume falling to 29 493 t, while production also dipped slightly that year.

A strong recovery followed in 2023, with production jumping to 25 313 t. This rebound coincided with increased exports of dairy products, including milk powder, from Russia into key Central Asian markets like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, intensifying competitive dynamics. The period through 2024 saw further evolution with rising international shipments, growing consumer interest in functional dairy products, and an increase in the availability of plant-based alternatives.

Production concentrated not sweetened milk and cream in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated not sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

Central Asia's production of concentrated, unsweetened milk and cream has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 21 256 tonnes, marking a significant 24.0% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 48.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports concentrated not sweetened milk and cream from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of concentrated, unsweetened milk and cream from Central Asia have also increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 19 tonnes, up 38.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 749.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 104.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Iran were the main destinations for Central Asia's exports in volume terms, together accounting for 15.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed notable volatility during these years. The value of exports fluctuated significantly, with a 4.6-fold difference between the peak and trough from 2017 to 2018. In 2020, Central Asia exported 27 000 US dollars worth of concentrated, unsweetened milk and cream, a strong 24.1% rise from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 000 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 78.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, jumping 163.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia remained the leading buyer of concentrated, unsweetened milk and cream from Central Asia in value terms, representing 13.4% of total exports.

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

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

Imports concentrated not sweetened milk and cream to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Central Asia imported 8 974 tonnes of concentrated, unsweetened milk and cream, showing a robust 16.7% year-on-year gain. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 30%, with an average annual rate of 9.1%. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 6.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising 19.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Belarus and Russia dominated Central Asia's imports in volume, together making up 98.9% of total flows, with other countries contributing a smaller, more varied share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Central Asia imported 12 282 000 US dollars worth of concentrated, unsweetened milk and cream in 2020, a strong 15.2% increase compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 30%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 9.2%. The largest decline was in 2019, down 8.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018, up 23.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus and Russia clearly dominated Central Asia's imports in value terms, with a combined share of 99.0% of total flows.

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

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