Concentrated not sweetened milk and cream market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

The production of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream in Moldova declined from 2018 through 2023, primarily due to a sustained reduction in the cow population and domestic milk output, which limited the raw material base for processors. Milk production remained fragmented among household farms, causing seasonal fluctuations and unstable supply.

In response to the domestic shortfall, imports of concentrated milk and cream rose steadily from 2020 onward, as part of a broader trend of growing dependence on dairy imports. Authorities attempted to counter the decline by increasing subsidies for the livestock sector and promoting HACCP-based food safety systems to align with EU requirements, which contributed to a temporary recovery in production in 2022.

Investments in expanding processing capacities and the launch of new value-added dairy products diversified the local offer but did not reverse the overall production downturn. By 2023, imports from Romania and other EU countries grew further as supplies from Ukraine diminished due to the war, adding competitive pressure on local manufacturers, and the dairy sector continued to face challenges into 2024 with milk production reaching historically low levels.

Production concentrated not sweetened milk and cream in Moldova

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

In 2020, Moldova produced 1 511 tons of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream, showing no significant change from 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 34.6%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 13.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 511 tons, with the largest year-on-year drop occurring that same year at 30.8%.

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

Exports concentrated not sweetened milk and cream from Moldova

According to industry reports, Moldova did not export any concentrated unsweetened milk and cream between 2017 and 2020.

Imports concentrated not sweetened milk and cream to Moldova

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes for concentrated unsweetened milk and cream in Moldova showed irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market. The lowest point was in 2018 at 3 597 kg, with the largest decline that year at 56.0%. By 2020, imports surged to 47 849 kg, marking a 489.3% increase from the previous year and representing the peak during this period. The swing from the 2018 trough to the 2020 peak was 13.3-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Moldova in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium was the leading supplier of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream to Moldova, accounting for 57.9% of imports by volume. Belarus followed with 15.8%, and Slovakia contributed 8.3%. Together, these three countries made up 82.0% of Moldova's total imports in this category.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of imports for concentrated unsweetened milk and cream in Moldova displayed an unstable trend over this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5.4 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 38.3%. By 2020, imports rose sharply to approximately 186.0 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 1,466.3% increase from the previous year and reaching the peak. The difference between the 2018 low and 2020 high was a 35-fold swing.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium dominated Moldova's imports of concentrated unsweetened milk and cream in value terms, representing 81.1% of the total. Other countries played a much smaller role in the import structure during this timeframe.

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

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