Milk and cream market in Burundi

Earlier Report Observations

The Burundi milk and cream market experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2020. Production surged by over 50% in 2019, a growth likely supported by the launch of the National Development Plan (PND) 2018-2027, which aimed to modernize agriculture including the dairy sector. However, this expansion was reversed in 2020 when production fell by over 40%, as the sector grappled with persistent structural difficulties and the absence of a specific regulatory authority, impacting quality and availability.

From 2021 to 2023, the market entered a phase of tentative recovery and stabilization. The promulgation of laws in 2021 related to sustainable agricultural value chains provided a supportive framework. A spike in food prices in 2022, however, reduced consumer access and contributed to a further 20% contraction in market volume. Conditions improved in 2023 with stabilized prices aided by good agricultural harvests and government subsidies on fertilizers. The growing role of private sector players, notably the entry and expansion of LIFEWAY Company with its SEASKY DAIRY processing plant, enhanced local transformation, distribution, and product quality, supporting a return to growth.

Production milk and cream in Burundi

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Burundi's milk and cream production reached its peak at 199.3 thousand tons. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 113.4 thousand tons, marking a significant 43.1% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 24.8%, with an average annual decline rate of 9.1%. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production surged by 54.9%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Burundi

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of milk and cream from Burundi showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, while exports peaked in 2018 at 17.2 tons, creating a 38-fold difference between these two years. In 2019, exports dropped sharply to 10.1 tons, representing a 41.1% decrease from 2018. The most dramatic year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when export volumes surged by 3 674.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Rwanda was overwhelmingly the primary destination for Burundi's milk and cream exports, accounting for 92.1% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Burundi's milk and cream exports experienced notable fluctuations. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while 2018 saw the peak at 8.3 thousand US dollars, representing a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2019, export value declined to 6.0 thousand US dollars, marking a 27.7% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when export value surged by 1 625.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda dominated as the main destination for Burundi's milk and cream exports in value terms, accounting for 92.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Burundi

Imports in kind, t

Burundi's milk and cream imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 89.0 tons. Imports then increased by 27.7% in 2019, before declining by 7.1% in 2020. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 38.9%, with an average annual decline rate of 15.1%. The most significant year-on-year decrease occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 48.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda was the dominant supplier of milk and cream to Burundi, accounting for 73.9% of total import volumes, with the remainder distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Burundi's milk and cream import value peaked in 2019 before dropping dramatically by 50.8% to 50.7 thousand US dollars in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 63%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 28.2%. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when import value rose by 43.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Uganda was the dominant source of Burundi's milk and cream imports in value terms, accounting for 81.7% of total import value, while other countries accounted for relatively small shares.

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

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