Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Eastern Asia grew from 1 319 thousand tons to 1 945 thousand tons in volume. This expansion was supported by stable domestic milk output and a consumer shift toward higher-quality and functional dairy products. The rising health trend in 2020 further boosted demand for low-sugar alternatives, including plant-based milk, which contributed to market growth.

After reaching a peak, the market volume contracted to 1 701 thousand tons in 2022 and 1 412 thousand tons in 2023. This decline occurred alongside the continued strong growth of the plant-based milk segment, which gained popularity as a substitute for traditional dairy. Consumer preferences also increasingly favored specialized functional dairy items, such as A2 milk and DHA-enriched products, reshaping demand within the market.

In 2024, raw milk production in China recorded its first decline since 2018, leading to a reduction in overall dairy output. Total dairy consumption decreased, while demand for functional products and plant-based alternatives remained robust, reflecting a sustained market orientation toward health and premiumization.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Eastern Asia

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 Eastern Asia, production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream reached 544.9 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 12.0% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.9%. The only decline during this period occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Asia's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 821 million US dollars, representing a 10.0% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 17.2%, averaging an annualized rate of 5.4%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 157 thousand tons, a sharp decrease of 45.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 33.3%, with an average annual decline of 12.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 312 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 32.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, accounting for 3.8% of exports in volume, along with Asia (not elsewhere specified) at 2.2% and Canada at 1.1%, were among the top buyers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Asia. However, these three markets combined represented only 7.0% of total exports, indicating a highly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value stood at 526 million US dollars, a significant drop of 46.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 32.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.2%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 1 036 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 33.2%.

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

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

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

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 1 219 thousand tons, down 11.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 21.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.8%. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 1 382 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 21.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand dominated imports into Eastern Asia, accounting for 61.3% of the volume, followed by Australia at 8.4% and the Netherlands at 6.2%. Together, these three countries comprised 76.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, import value was 4 458 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate decrease of 9.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 18.6%, with an average annualized rate of 5.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 4 948 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 17.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, New Zealand led imports by value with a 52.4% share, followed by the Netherlands at 13.6% and Australia at 10.2%. These three countries together accounted for 76.2% of total import value.

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

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