Market research

Milk and cream market in China

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Chinese milk and cream market expanded steadily, with volume rising from 37.6 million tons to 42.0 million tons. This growth was driven by improved production efficiency as dairy farming scaled up and modernized, alongside policy support for domestic producers and increasing consumer demand as part of better dietary habits.

Market volume continued to climb from 2021 to 2023, reaching 50.2 million tons. Although the sector faced raw milk oversupply and profit margin pressures in 2021, demand remained robust due to dairy companies' increased focus on foodservice channels. Health-conscious trends accelerated, boosting demand for low-sugar and low-fat products, while major firms expanded overseas production and sales bases in markets like Southeast Asia.

In 2024, industry dynamics shifted as milk output dropped by 2.8% to address oversupply, and consumer demand softened. In response, companies launched innovative products such as zero-sugar sweet milk, and authorities introduced updated food safety standards (GB 2760-2024) and policies to enhance quality control and support dairy sector revitalization.

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. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in China
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2018-2023, $ US
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. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China 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 China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China ranked fourth globally in milk and cream production.

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

China's milk and cream production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 41 009 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 7.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 12.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.1%	3.8%	7.0%	3.9%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, China's milk and cream output was valued at 35 116 million US dollars, representing a 6.8% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 7.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production value fell by 3.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.7%	(3.5%)	6.8%	2.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports milk and cream from China

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, China exported 25 thousand tonnes of milk and cream, showing a slight 1.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 27 thousand tonnes. Exports declined by 8.6% in 2019, while they increased by 17.1% in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	17.1%	(8.6%)	1.8%	2.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong dominated China's milk and cream exports in volume, consistently accounting for 97.5% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, China exported 22 million US dollars worth of milk and cream, which was 1.6% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 4.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 25 million US dollars. Export value fell by 15.0% in 2019, while it rose by 21.2% in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	21.2%	(15.0%)	1.6%	1.5%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, China's milk and cream exports in value terms were almost exclusively directed to Hong Kong, which absorbed 96.4% of total exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports milk and cream to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's milk and cream imports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 040 thousand tonnes, indicating a robust 16.8% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 55.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.9%	32.3%	16.8%	15.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand (31.7% of import volume), Germany (29.6%), and Australia (11.1%) together accounted for 72.3% of China's total milk and cream imports in volume, making them the main sources.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

China's milk and cream import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 309 million US dollars, up by 18.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 48.8%, equating to an average annual rate of 14.2%.

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