Concentrated not sweetened milk and cream market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated not sweetened milk and cream in China expanded from 95.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 101.3 thousand tons in 2019, driven by the dairy industry's ongoing expansion which increased raw milk supply from key regions like Inner Mongolia, Hebei, and Heilongjiang. Simultaneously, shifting consumer habits, including the adoption of Western holidays and a growing appetite for baked goods, lifted demand for dairy ingredients. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and altered consumption patterns, causing a slight contraction to 98.5 thousand tons.

A sharp rebound followed in 2021, with market volume jumping to 116.3 thousand tons, supported by government policies promoting large-scale, standardized, and modern dairy farming that enhanced production efficiency. Concurrently, consumer preferences continued to shift toward healthier, low-fat options, stimulating use in related food products. By 2022, the market stabilized at 116.8 thousand tons as ongoing policy support and evolving dietary habits balanced out global supply chain volatility that affected import levels.

In 2023, the market saw modest growth to 118.9 thousand tons, capping a period of overall expansion from 2018 onwards.

Production concentrated not sweetened milk and cream in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China held the 10th position globally in the production of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream.

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

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

China's production of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 92 647 tonnes, marking a steady year-over-year increase of 7.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's production value of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 179.8 million US dollars, up 6.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 13.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 148.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 6.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 13.8%.

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

Exports concentrated not sweetened milk and cream from China

Exports in kind, t

China's exports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 237 tonnes, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 6.9%. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 39.8%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 15.6%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 169 tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 56.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 30.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Hong Kong dominated China's exports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream in volume terms, accounting for 94.9% of the total flows.

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 export value of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 459 thousand US dollars, up 5.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 40%, with a compound annual decline of 15.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 306 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 60.1%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 42.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in value terms was highly concentrated, with Hong Kong alone making up 94.6% of total flows.

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 not sweetened milk and cream to China

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, China's imports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream amounted to 6 051 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decline of 60.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 58.9%, equating to an annualized drop of 25.6%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 15 382 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 17.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands was the leading supplier of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream to China, accounting for 76.3% of total imports in volume, while other countries shared the remainder.

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

In 2020, China's imports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream were valued at 13 063 thousand US dollars, down 52.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 56.3%, with an annualized decline of 24.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 0.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands accounted for 73.9% of China's total import value of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream, with the rest distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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