Concentrated sweetened milk and cream market in Southern Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Southern Asia started at 29 301 t in 2018. The introduction of FSSAI standards for dairy products, setting minimum milk fat content and labeling rules, coincided with a growing per capita milk consumption, supporting market demand. Continued enforcement of these quality standards helped the market expand to 33 637 t in 2019. However, a contraction to 30 636 t followed in 2020, a year which also saw new quality control and inspection rules for the export of milk and milk products.

Market volume recovered strongly after 2020, reaching a new peak of 35 051 t in 2021 before a slight correction to 34 240 t in 2022, indicating a period of stabilization.

Market activity intensified in 2023, with a reported 99% surge in imports at the start of the year. Government policy played a role, as a lower 15% tax rate was offered to dairy cooperatives commencing manufacturing to boost local production. Post-pandemic reopening of hospitality sectors led to supply challenges and rising prices for full cream milk. Concurrently, industry investment expanded, such as Parag Milk Foods enhancing whey processing, and new product segments like camel milk ice cream emerged. By 2024, Mother Dairy announced a INR 650 crore investment in new processing plants, while FSSAI amendments updated food additive standards. Growing consumer preference for low-sugar, premium, and health-oriented dairy products, including probiotic and fermented varieties, continued to shape the market, which stood at 34 840 t in 2023.

Production concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Southern 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 2020, Southern Asia produced 24 978 tonnes of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, marking a 9.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 12.6%.

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

Exports concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 67 tonnes and peaked in 2017, showing a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Southern Asia exported 282 tonnes of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, representing a significant increase of 317.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 80.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind were widely dispersed across countries. Iraq accounted for 12.4% of exports, the United States for 2.9%, and Canada for 2.7%, together making up just 18.0% of total flows. The remaining 82.0% was distributed among a broad range of other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 805 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 4.5-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Southern Asia exported 2 337 thousand US dollars of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, reflecting a sharp increase of 44.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 77.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 100.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Southern Asia was traded with numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—Iraq, the United States, and Canada—together represented only 29.4% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports concentrated sweetened milk and cream to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, varying by a factor of 2.1. In 2020, Southern Asia imported 5 940 tonnes of concentrated sweetened milk and cream, equivalent to a decline of 45.3% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 10 867 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 99.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand played leading roles in imports in kind of concentrated sweetened milk and cream to Southern Asia. Malaysia accounted for 27.0% of imports, the United Arab Emirates for 15.8%, and Thailand for 14.3%, jointly taking 57.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Southern Asia declined. In 2020, import volume reached 8 390 thousand US dollars, down by 22.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 10 782 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase in 2018 at 27.5%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore accounted for the largest share of imports in value terms. Malaysia represented 26.8% of imports, the United Arab Emirates 16.1%, and Singapore 12.5%, together comprising 55.5% of total flows.

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

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