Concentrated sweetened milk and cream market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Australia underwent a period of remarkable expansion from 2018 to 2023. In physical terms, the market volume grew more than fivefold, rising from 1 598 t to 8 586 t. The most significant increase occurred in 2020, when volume nearly tripled within a single year. This growth was even more pronounced in value, with the market size rising from $4.1 million to $28.2 million, indicating a substantial increase in both the quantity consumed and the average value of the product.

The dramatic market expansion was structurally driven by a fundamental shift in trade patterns. Imports surged from 2 748 t in 2018 to 11 697 t in 2023, becoming the primary source of new supply. Concurrently, export volumes, which had traditionally exceeded domestic production, began a steady decline after 2021, falling from over 22 000 t to 17 206 t by 2023. This combination of rising imports and falling exports drastically increased the net volume of product remaining for domestic consumption.

Domestic production remained relatively stable but experienced a gradual downward trend after its 2019 peak of 21 056 t, settling at 14 094 t in 2023. The rebalancing of trade flows continued into 2024 and 2025, with import levels staying high and exports contracting further, cementing the market's shift towards greater reliance on imported product to meet domestic demand.

Production concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Australia was among the world's leading producers of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from 2018 to 2021, ranking 20th globally by production volume.

Top producers of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, 2018-2021

World map of production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, 2018-2021

In 2021, Australia produced 19 785 tonnes of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, marking a measured increase of 6.1% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 21 056 tonnes, which represented a significant increase of 17.5% from the previous year. However, production saw its largest decline in 2020, dropping by 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Australia's production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream rebounded in 2021. Output was valued at 31 720 thousand US dollars, up by 6.0% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, production value decreased by 3.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 29 911 thousand US dollars, following the largest decline of 5.3% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Australia

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Australia exported 22 401 tonnes of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, representing a 10.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 16.0%, while exports experienced their biggest decline in 2020, falling by 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China, New Zealand, and Malaysia dominated Australia's export structure for concentrated sweetened milk and cream in volume terms. China accounted for 45.1% of exports, New Zealand for 27.1%, and Malaysia for 6.2%. Together, these three markets represented 78.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of decline, Australia's exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream increased in 2021. Export value reached 35 913 thousand US dollars, up by 10.0% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 2.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 32 662 thousand US dollars, after the largest decline of 6.5% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, China, New Zealand, and Malaysia were the primary markets for Australia's exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream in value terms. China represented 36.1% of export value, New Zealand 25.0%, and Malaysia 9.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 71.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports concentrated sweetened milk and cream to Australia

Imports in kind, t

Australia's imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream increased for the third consecutive year in 2021. Import volume totaled 8 822 tonnes, representing a 21.5% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports surged by 221%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 47.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets—the Netherlands, Spain, and Lithuania—together accounted for 89.0% of Australia's total imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream in volume terms.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Australia's imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream rose for the third year in a row in 2021. Import value reached 18 851 thousand US dollars, marking a 24.9% increase compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 201.6%, with an annualized rate of 44.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, the Netherlands, Spain, and Lithuania formed the core group of markets for Australia's imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 38.5% of import value, Spain for 27.0%, and Lithuania for 18.3%. Together, these three countries represented 83.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021