Concentrated sweetened milk and cream market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Eastern Africa expanded significantly in 2019, reaching 18 875 metric tons, a 25% increase from the previous year. This surge was driven by the entry of new players intensifying competition and prompting major dairy companies to diversify products and increase advertising, which stimulated import growth to 17 025 tons. However, in 2020, market volume fell by 27% to 13 779 tons as mandatory pasteurization requirements and the introduction of an online licensing system for dairy operators tightened regulatory compliance, temporarily constraining supply.

Market volume rebounded sharply in 2021, jumping 42% to 19 510 metric tons, supported by innovations in dairy cooperatives such as digital marketing and processing improvements that enhanced product availability and competitive pricing. The following year, volume dropped by 31% to 13 374 tons due to high input costs and poor infrastructure, which limited market access and supply. In 2023, the market recovered modestly to 14 604 tons, reflecting stabilized conditions.

Production concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

Eastern Africa's production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 363 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 4.9%. However, production peaked in 2018 at 2 503 tonnes, which represented a 5.4% increase from the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, the value of concentrated sweetened milk and cream production in Eastern Africa rebounded in 2020. Output was valued at 4 773 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 17.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 13.1%, with an average annual decline of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 059 thousand US dollars, when it dropped by 21.8%.

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

Exports concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Africa have shown significant volatility. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 208 tonnes, declining by 47.3% from the previous year. They then surged by 155.8% in 2019, reaching 712 tonnes in 2020, which was 33.8% higher than in 2019. Overall, exports varied by 3.4 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Arab Emirates were the primary destinations for concentrated sweetened milk and cream exports from Eastern Africa, together accounting for 59.0% of total export volumes.

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, K $ US

The value of concentrated sweetened milk and cream exports from Eastern Africa has been unstable. In 2018, exports reached their minimum at 431 thousand US dollars, falling by 52.8%. They then increased by 110.3% in 2019, and by 2020, exports amounted to 1 438 thousand US dollars, up 58.6% from 2019. This represents a 3.3-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Arab Emirates led as the top markets for concentrated sweetened milk and cream exports from Eastern Africa in value terms, together making up 61.4% of total export value.

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 sweetened milk and cream to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Africa declined in 2020. Imports totaled 12 128 tonnes, down 28.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 17 025 tonnes, when imports rose by 32.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa were the main suppliers of concentrated sweetened milk and cream to Eastern Africa by volume. Malaysia accounted for 64.9% of imports, Saudi Arabia for 12.9%, and South Africa for 4.8%, together representing 82.6% of total import volumes.

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, K $ US

Following two years of increase, the value of concentrated sweetened milk and cream imports into Eastern Africa fell in 2020. Imports were valued at 12 955 thousand US dollars, a sharp decrease of 36.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value dropped by 13.9%, with an average annual decline of 4.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 522 thousand US dollars, after a 25.4% increase in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and France were the leading sources of concentrated sweetened milk and cream imports into Eastern Africa by value. Malaysia contributed 46.1%, Saudi Arabia 16.9%, and France 10.9%, together accounting for 73.9% of total import value.

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

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