Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Eastern Africa opened the period at 113 688 t in 2018, a level supported by the dominance of large dairy processors such as Brookside in Uganda and the entry of small processors into urban markets like Kampala, which increased competition and expanded availability. In 2019, market volume declined to 103 586 t, even as authorities promoted value-addition skills and new product segments including UHT milk and butter oil emerged, indicating diversification efforts amid a smaller domestic market.

After reaching a peak of 115 359 t in 2020, the market entered a phase of consecutive decline, falling to 106 592 t in 2021, 104 135 t in 2022, and 92 793 t in 2023. This represented a contraction of nearly 20% from the 2020 high, marking a significant reduction in overall market volume over the latter part of the period.

By 2024, industry developments highlighted robust export growth for milk products and packaging innovations such as the launch of heatable, transparent pouches for condensed milk, alongside capacity expansions by major manufacturers. These factors pointed toward an increasing export orientation and ongoing product diversification within the sector.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

Eastern Africa's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 42 454 tonnes, marking a steady 5.1% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 40 157 tonnes, when output fell by 2.8%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Africa have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 10 895 tonnes, a sharp rise of 43.6% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018, at 5 057 tonnes, which represented a significant decline of 54.0%. However, exports rebounded strongly in 2019, growing by 50.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Japan, and Singapore were the main buyers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 16.8% of exports in volume, Japan for 2.0%, and Singapore for 0.9%. Together, these three countries made up 19.8% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After declining for two years, the value of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream exports from Eastern Africa increased in 2020. Exports totaled 30.2 million US dollars, a 40.3% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value decreased by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.1%. The lowest value was in 2019, at 21.5 million US dollars, following a 23.3% drop in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates were key export partners for Eastern Africa in terms of value. The Democratic Republic of the Congo represented 18.6% of export value, Japan 2.4%, and the United Arab Emirates 0.6%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 21.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Africa have risen after two years of decline. In 2020, imports totaled 83 800 tonnes, an 18.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3.1%, averaging 1.0% per year. The lowest import volume was in 2019, at 70 787 tonnes, when imports fell by 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Africa were spread across many markets. Malaysia accounted for 19.5% of imports in volume, New Zealand for 17.9%, and the Netherlands for 8.7%. Together, these three countries represented 46.1% of total import flows, indicating a diverse sourcing pattern.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream imports into Eastern Africa reached 225.7 million US dollars, a modest increase of 5.7% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019, at 213.5 million US dollars, after a 7.1% decline. The highest value was in 2018, at 229.8 million US dollars.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand, Malaysia, and the Netherlands were among the largest suppliers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Eastern Africa in value terms. New Zealand accounted for 23.1% of import value, Malaysia for 10.5%, and the Netherlands for 9.4%. Together, they made up 43.0% of total imports, reflecting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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