Milk and cream market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

The milk and cream market in Bangladesh expanded consistently from 2018 to 2020, driven by rising domestic production. Technical expertise sharing projects helped scale up commercial UHT milk output, while PRAN emerged as a major market player holding about 10% share. Growing consumer demand, fueled by higher incomes and urbanization, supported market growth even as the COVID-19 pandemic caused global supply chain disruptions that affected import availability.

Between 2021 and 2023, market volume continued to increase as new entrants expanded dairy processing capacity, particularly for UHT milk. The launch of large-scale facilities, including Arla Foods Bangladesh's plant in Gazipur, boosted production. Consumer preferences shifted toward premium and organic products, and significant infrastructure investments helped Bangladesh nearly meet its national milk demand, with the market reaching 14.7 million tonnes in 2023.

Production milk and cream in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh ranked 18th globally in milk and cream production.

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Milk and cream production in Bangladesh grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 11 274 K t, a 7.4% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 14.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 4.7%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Bangladesh exported 10 155 t of milk and cream, a sharp increase of 371.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 183 860.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 1 125.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, milk and cream exports from Bangladesh were almost entirely concentrated in the Philippines, which accounted for 97.3% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, milk and cream exports from Bangladesh amounted to 6 367 K $ US, an abrupt uptick of 390.9% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 48 852.8%, with an annualized rate of 688.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines was the key and nearly sole market for milk and cream exports from Bangladesh in value terms, representing 96.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, t

The market showed volatility during the observed period. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 438 t, while in 2018, they peaked at 1 616 t, resulting in a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bangladesh imported 652 t of milk and cream, marking a sharp increase of 49.1% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 72.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 54.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading sources for milk and cream imports to Bangladesh in kind were Singapore (30.5%), the United Arab Emirates (17.3%), and Australia (9.6%), together accounting for 57.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. In 2019, imports hit a trough at 501 K $ US, while in 2018, they peaked at 2 141 K $ US, creating a 4.3-fold gap. In 2020, Bangladesh imported approximately 1 477 K $ US of milk and cream, equivalent to a steep increase of 194.4% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 76.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, and Singapore—together accounted for 64.2% of total milk and cream imports to Bangladesh in value terms.

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

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