Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Lebanon contracted sharply from 49 204 metric tons in 2018 to 24 246 metric tons in 2022. A key driver was a ministerial decision in late 2019 that set retail prices for infant milk, affecting pricing across the dairy sector and contributing to a significant drop in import volumes. The decline continued through 2022, accelerated by severe food price inflation that placed Lebanon among the countries with the highest food inflation globally, eroding consumer purchasing power and demand.

Market volume rebounded to 29 193 metric tons in 2023, primarily due to a recovery in imports. This increase occurred alongside a deepening economic crisis characterized by a currency collapse, which drove retail milk prices up by over 200%, and a rise in poverty levels that strained household budgets. Despite these pressures, import volumes grew by over 5 000 metric tons compared to 2022, leading to the overall market expansion.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Lebanon

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

Lebanon's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 12 340 tonnes, but then fell to 11 289 tonnes in 2020, marking an 8.5% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 14.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production surged by 23.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of gains, Lebanon's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms declined. In 2019, the value peaked at 33 670 thousand US dollars, but dropped to 28 604 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a 15.0% decrease year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 33.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, when value rose by 29.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lebanon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Lebanon's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 182 tonnes, but then rebounded to 418 tonnes in 2020, showing a 64.8% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 41.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 12.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 38.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States were the main destinations for Lebanon's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in volume terms. Iraq accounted for 25.0% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 20.5%, and the United States for 17.8%. Together, these three countries absorbed 63.3% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Lebanon's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms rose for the second year in a row. In 2018, exports were at their minimum of 0.4 million US dollars, but climbed to 1.1 million US dollars in 2020, up 53.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 64.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.1%. The largest decline was in 2018, when value dropped by 34.9%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a 65.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States were the primary markets for Lebanon's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms. Iraq represented 26.7% of exports, the United Arab Emirates 21.8%, and the United States 14.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 62.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in volume terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports peaked at 37 258 tonnes, but then decreased to 16 366 tonnes in 2020, a 34.3% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import volume fell by 48.9%, with an average annual decline of 20.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, when imports grew by 16.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Czechia, and Denmark were notable suppliers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Lebanon in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 29.4% of imports, Czechia for 10.6%, and Denmark for 9.7%. However, their combined share reached only 49.8% of total imports, indicating a diverse supply base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Lebanon's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms fell for the second year in a row. In 2018, import value reached its highest point at 104.4 million US dollars, but then dropped to 61.4 million US dollars in 2020, down 33.6% from a year earlier. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 35.2%, with a compound annual decline of 13.5%. The largest increase was in 2018, when value rose by 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Czechia were the main sources for Lebanon's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms. The Netherlands held a 31.7% share, Denmark 11.8%, and Czechia 10.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.7% of total import value.

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

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