Concentrated sweetened milk and cream market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Eastern Asia expanded from 40 937 t in 2018 to 45 011 t in 2019. This growth was supported by national policies like the '14th Five-Year Plan for Dairy Industry Competitiveness Improvement,' which encouraged supply chain development and quality upgrades. Major players such as Yili and Mengniu simultaneously entered the professional dairy segment for the foodservice industry, creating new sales channels. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reduced the market volume to 43 246 t, though a recovery began later in the year.

Post-pandemic, the market saw a slight recovery to 43 885 t in 2021, partly driven by innovation in functional dairy products, including the approval of China's first infant-edible probiotic strain. However, market volume contracted to 41 264 t in 2022 and fell significantly to 36 090 t in 2023. This decline coincided with reduced imports for many dairy categories, while domestic milk production increased by 6.7% in 2023. Rising exports, fueled by the overseas expansion of companies like Yili and Ausnutria, further contributed to the decrease in domestic supply.

Production concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Eastern Asia

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

In Eastern Asia, production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream reached 28 560 tonnes in 2020, marking a 22.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 26.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Eastern Asia declined in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 52 977 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate decrease of 5.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 26.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 56 050 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 20.4% rise.

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

Exports concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Asia grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 10 998 tonnes, reflecting a sharp increase of 65.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 62.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 6 635 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Asia were distributed across a wide range of partners. The United States accounted for 25.5% of exports in kind, followed by Asia (not elsewhere specified) at 13.3%, and Canada at 7.4%. Together, these three destinations represented 46.3% of total flows, while the remaining 53.7% was supplied to numerous other countries.

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, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 20 401 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 27.8% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 62.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Eastern Asia was traded with many countries. Even the largest destinations—the United States, Asia (not elsewhere specified), and Canada—together accounted for only 44.7% of total exports in value terms.

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 sweetened milk and cream to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Asia declined in volume. In 2020, imports were recorded at 25 685 tonnes, reflecting a 9.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 28.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 28 301 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 21.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia was the leading source for imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Asia, accounting for 43.1% of imports in kind. Malaysia followed with 11.1%, and the Netherlands with 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented 64.3% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

Following two years of growth, imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Asia declined in value terms. In 2020, imports were approximately 42 196 thousand US dollars, which is 3.8% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 32.4%, equating to an average annual rate of 9.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 43 863 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia was the main source for imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream into Eastern Asia in value terms, accounting for 36.3% of imports. The Netherlands followed with 12.3%, and Germany with 10.4%. Together, these three countries formed 59.0% of total import flows.

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

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