Milk and cream market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Belarusian milk and cream market volume grew from 9 664 thousand tons to 10 832 thousand tons, while its value increased from 6 959 million US dollars to 8 570 million US dollars. This expansion was partly driven by Russian veterinary restrictions on exports of dry milk and cream, which redirected more production to the domestic market.

In 2021, market volume dipped to 10 324 thousand tons, though the market value continued rising to 9 035 million US dollars due to mounting cost pressures from higher feed and electricity prices. The following year, volume stabilized at 10 396 thousand tons, while value climbed further to 9 430 million US dollars, reflecting persistent input cost inflation.

A notable recovery occurred in 2023, with market volume reaching 11 098 thousand tons and value surpassing 10 039 million US dollars. This growth was supported by a state-led plan to modernize dairy farms and raise productivity. The same year saw the liquidation of the major processor DanoneBel, which altered the competitive landscape.

Production milk and cream in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Belarus ranked as the 19th largest producer of milk and cream from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Milk and cream production in Belarus grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 11 063 K t, marking a 5.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 9 907 K t. That year also saw the largest decline of 0.7%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 5.8% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belarus saw a second consecutive year of growth in the value of its milk and cream production. In 2020, output was valued at 8 748 M $ US, up 1.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 15.8%, translating to an average annual rate of 5.0%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 7 132 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.6%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the highest increase at 21.3%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Belarus

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, milk and cream exports from Belarus rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 234.6 K t, an 8.7% increase compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 23.6%, averaging an annual decline of 8.6%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 215.8 K t, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 20.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia accounted for nearly all of Belarus's milk and cream exports in volume, holding a 95.3% share of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Milk and cream export values from Belarus increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 185.5 M $ US, showing a modest rise of 4.1% from the previous year. Despite this recent growth, exports decreased by 20.2% overall from 2017 to 2020, with an average annual decline of 7.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 176.7 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 24.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia dominated the value structure of Belarus's milk and cream exports, capturing 96.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Belarus

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The highest volume was in 2017, while the lowest was in 2018, with a 3.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Belarus imported 3.2 K t of milk and cream, a 2.3% decrease from the previous year. The minimum volume was 2.0 K t in 2018, which also experienced the largest decline of 70.3%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 65.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Poland were the primary sources for milk and cream imports to Belarus, together accounting for most of the volume, while other markets played smaller individual roles.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Import values exhibited volatility over the observed years. The peak was in 2019 and the trough in 2018, with a 2.3-fold difference. In 2020, imports amounted to 6.9 M $ US, a moderate decrease of 4.2% compared to 2019. The minimum value was 3.2 M $ US in 2018, while the maximum was 7.2 M $ US in 2019. The largest decline of 48.3% occurred in 2018, and the largest increase of 125.9% was in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia was the dominant partner for milk and cream imports to Belarus in value terms, with an 82.5% share of total flows, while other markets had relatively smaller shares.

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

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