Milk and cream market in Botswana

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for milk and cream in Botswana reached 98 824 t in 2018, supported by the launch of a peri‑urban small‑scale dairy research programme aimed at increasing domestic milk production. After a period of stabilization in 2019, the market grew significantly to 115 308 t in 2020.

Market volume fluctuated in the following years, declining to 101 333 t in 2021 before recovering to 111 227 t in 2022. This recovery coincided with amendments to the Botswana Meat Industry Regulatory Authority Act and the introduction of the Control of Goods (Fresh Milk) Regulations, which updated import and marketing rules for dairy products. In 2023, the market softened to 105 049 t, while a national fodder strategy was announced to lower production costs and FAO‑partnered codes of practice for quality and safety were approved.

In 2024, the official launch of the state‑backed MilkAfric dairy processing facility marked a major step toward expanding local production capacity, and the government imported 150 dairy goats from Australia to improve breeding stock, initiatives designed to reduce reliance on imported milk and cream.

Production milk and cream in Botswana

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Botswana's milk and cream production reached its lowest point at 47 797 tons, declining by 8.4% from the previous year. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 51 192 tons, marking a 7.1% increase compared to 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 52 186 tons.

Annual dynamics of production in Botswana in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports milk and cream from Botswana

Exports in kind, t

The export market for milk and cream showed significant volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017, then surged to a peak of 69 tons in 2019, representing a dramatic 1 017.9% increase. However, exports plummeted to just 5 tons in 2020, a 92.8% drop from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2017 was twentyfold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa remained the dominant export destination for Botswana's milk and cream in volume terms, accounting for 75.0% of total exports. The remaining 25.0% was distributed across various other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms exhibited considerable volatility. Export values reached their lowest point in 2020 at 4 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 91.5% decline from the previous year. In contrast, the peak occurred in 2019 with 44 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 245.9% increase. The difference between the 2019 peak and 2020 low was 11.8 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Namibia together dominated Botswana's milk and cream exports in value terms, jointly representing 87.7% of total export value. The remaining 12.3% was distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Botswana

Imports in kind, t

Botswana's milk and cream imports grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 64 121 tons. This represented a 29.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 49.9%, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of 14.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Botswana's milk and cream import market was highly concentrated, with South Africa alone accounting for 99.1% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Botswana's milk and cream imports in value terms reached 23 776 thousand US dollars, showing a notable 14.3% increase year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 806 thousand US dollars, which represented a 6.6% decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 13.4%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 4.3%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, South Africa was the primary source for Botswana's milk and cream imports in value terms, accounting for 98.8% of total import value.

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

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