Market research

Milk and cream market in Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The African milk and cream market volume increased from 54 224 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 57 525 thousand metric tons in 2020. This growth was initially driven by expanded milk production in traditionally deficit regions and a rise in buffalo milk output, which boosted overall supply. Concurrently, the implementation of mandatory added sugar labeling from January 2020 shifted consumer demand toward products with lower sugar content, encouraging dairy processors to reformulate and supporting market volume expansion.

Market growth continued through 2021 and 2022, peaking at 60 348 thousand metric tons in 2022. In 2023, the market stabilized at 60 080 thousand metric tons as higher feed costs and adverse weather conditions, exacerbated by global droughts, tempered milk production growth and balanced supply with demand.

Factors noted for 2024 include improved electricity supply stability in key producing areas and a growing consumer trend toward organic and plant-based dairy alternatives, although full market volume data for the year is not yet available.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production milk and cream in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Africa's milk and cream production has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 57 228 thousand tons, which is 2.1% higher than in 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.8%, averaging an annual increase of 2.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.4%	4.1%	2.1%	2.5%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After rising for two years, Africa's milk and cream production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 79 829 million US dollars, down 7.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 18.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 86 705 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.5%	12.3%	(7.9%)	5.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports milk and cream from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, milk and cream exports from Africa increased. In 2020, exports reached 88.9 thousand tons, up 2.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 11.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.0%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 86.7 thousand tons, and the largest drop was also in 2019 at 8.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.1%)	(8.1%)	2.6%	(4.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Palestine was the leading market for milk and cream from Africa, accounting for 1.7% of total exports in volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Milk and cream exports from Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 124.1 million US dollars, showing a moderate year-over-year decrease of 7.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The peak value was in 2018 at 135.2 million US dollars, and the largest increase was also in 2018 at 6.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.0%	(0.9%)	(7.5%)	(0.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Palestine remained the primary and most stable destination for milk and cream exports in value terms, representing 1.7% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports milk and cream to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa imported a total of value_last_year thousand tons of milk and cream in 2020, which is 23.2% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 42.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.0%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 29.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 5.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(29.3%)	5.5%	(23.2%)	(17.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, imports in volume were spread across many partner countries. Portugal, France, and Germany accounted for 17.0%, 5.7%, and 5.7% of imports, respectively, totaling just 28.4% of all flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Milk and cream imports to Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 284.3 million US dollars, a significant reduction of 21.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 16.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 371.7 million US dollars, and the largest increase was also in 2018 at 9.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	9.2%	(3.0%)	(21.1%)	(5.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner portfolio for milk and cream imports to Africa in value terms was quite diverse. France, Portugal, and Italy accounted for 10.7%, 9.8%, and 6.5% of imports, respectively, together representing only 27.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io