Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Rwanda

Earlier Report Observations

The Rwandan market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream expanded from 9 240 t in 2018 to 9 575 t in 2020, a growth supported by the government's Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 4) and the Girinka program, which aimed to increase dairy productivity through improved cattle breeds, more milk collection centers, and investments in the value chain. These measures boosted domestic milk output, providing more raw material for processed products.

After a slight dip to 9 312 t in 2021, the market volume jumped to 10 469 t in 2022. This surge coincided with a government ban on raw milk exports, a policy designed to strengthen the domestic dairy sector by retaining raw supply for local processors. The period also saw rising imports of finished products, contributing to the larger market size. However, in 2023, the market contracted to 9 325 t, primarily due to a sharp drop in import volumes.

Throughout the 2018-2023 period, domestic production of concentrated or sweetened milk grew from 5 664 t to 6 441 t, reflecting ongoing sector modernization. Initiatives like the Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Program II, which promoted quality standards, and continuous farmer training under development projects helped sustain output even as trade flows fluctuated.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Rwanda

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

Rwanda's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 974 tonnes, marking a 14.5% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 39.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 11.6%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Rwanda

Exports in kind, t

The export market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Rwanda experienced significant volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 65 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 86.2%. In 2019, exports surged dramatically by 1 053.2%, reaching a peak in 2020 of 1 372 tonnes, which was an 82.6% increase from 2019. Overall, there was a 21-fold difference between the trough in 2018 and the peak in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the dominant buyer of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Rwanda, accounting for 98.8% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Rwanda's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms totaled 2 137 thousand US dollars, a slight decrease of 0.7% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 823 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 5.0%. In 2019, exports peaked at 2 151 thousand US dollars, showing the largest increase of 18.0%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Rwanda's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms were highly concentrated, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo making up 98.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Rwanda

Imports in kind, t

Rwanda's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in volume terms amounted to 3 973 tonnes in 2020, a modest reduction of 2.8% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 3 641 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 4 090 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 12.3%. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 8.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium were the key partners for Rwanda's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in volume. The Netherlands accounted for 35.0%, Germany for 27.9%, and Belgium for 20.4% of imports, together representing 83.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Rwanda's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 11 207 thousand US dollars, up by 4.5% from 2019. The lowest value was in 2018 at 8 464 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 10.1%. In 2019, imports saw the largest increase of 26.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 19%, with an average annual rate of 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium were the principal sources for Rwanda's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms. The Netherlands contributed 34.2%, Germany 25.4%, and Belgium 19.2%, jointly accounting for 78.8% of total flows.

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

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