Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Africa reached 1 271 thousand tons. The following year, market volume fell to 1 214 thousand tons. This decline coincided with climatic challenges and structural changes in the dairy industry, which led to a downturn across most segments of the value chain. At the same time, smaller players began gaining attention, although major companies maintained their market leadership.

By 2020, the market grew to 1 352 thousand tons, peaking for the period. This growth was partly driven by the high concentration of global dairy trade among top exporters, which affected supply dynamics. However, by 2021 market volume dropped to 1 233 thousand tons, and further to 1 187 thousand tons in 2022. This downward trend occurred alongside rising consumer interest in organic and plant-based dairy alternatives, which reduced demand for traditional concentrated products.

In 2023, the market slightly recovered to 1 197 thousand tons. Feed costs continued to significantly impact farm-level expenses, prompting reduced use of concentrated feed. Simultaneously, consumer preferences increasingly shifted toward alternative dairy products, shaping a long-term trend.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

In 2020, Africa produced 162.7 K t of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, marking a moderate 7.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 181.8 K t, which represented a 26.8% increase. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 16.8%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, Africa's cross-border shipments of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 63 K t, reflecting a dramatic 49.9% year-over-year gain. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 13.7%, with a CAGR of 4.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 42 K t, which marked a 22.0% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia maintained the largest share in export volumes, accounting for 0.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year reduction, Africa's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms increased in 2020. Exports totaled 169 M $ US, up 4.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, however, exports decreased by 14.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 161 M $ US, representing a 10.9% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Saudi Arabia accounted for 3.3% of export value, Iraq for 1.2%, and the United Arab Emirates for 1.1%, with these three countries together representing just 5.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Africa's import volume of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream amounted to 1 252 K t, a 13.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 11.8%, with a CAGR of 3.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 105 K t, which saw a 3.3% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for imports in volume terms was diverse. New Zealand accounted for 19.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 11.0%, and France for 8.4%, with these three countries together forming only 38.7% of total flows. The remaining 61.3% was supplied by many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Africa's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms increased in 2020. Imports reached 3 410 M $ US, up 25.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 19%, with a CAGR of 6.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 719 M $ US, while 2018 saw a 3.1% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for imports in value terms was broad. New Zealand accounted for 24.1% of import value, the Netherlands for 10.4%, and France for 8.7%, with these three countries together forming only 43.2% of total flows. The remaining 56.8% was supplied by many other countries.

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

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