Milk and cream market in Congo

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for milk and cream in Congo grew from 6 466 t to 7 807 t, an increase of 21%. This expansion was primarily driven by a sharp rise in imports, which more than doubled from 1 920 t to 3 342 t, while domestic production remained stable at around 4 500 t. The country's underutilized agricultural potential, highlighted as early as 2018, provided a consistent backdrop for this reliance on imported products.

A decree adopted in December 2022, which redefined the conditions for public procurement, likely facilitated import flows and contributed to the significant import jump observed that year. Concurrently, ministerial visits to local dairy plants and heavy investments in the agri-food sector underscored ongoing efforts to develop domestic industrial capabilities, although these did not translate into higher production volumes during the period.

By 2024, a 6.3% annual increase in food prices began to impact consumer purchasing power, coinciding with a notable drop in imports. At the same time, active recruitment by local dairy manufacturers pointed to continued structural development within the industry, even as the market adjusted to new cost pressures.

Production milk and cream in Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Congo's milk and cream production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 456 tonnes, marking a 1.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 6.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 546 tonnes, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 8.2%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Congo

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was essentially the sole buyer of milk and cream from Congo, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the Democratic Republic of the Congo clearly dominated as the buyer of milk and cream from Congo, representing 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Congo

Imports in kind, t

Congo's imports of milk and cream rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2 717 tonnes, a 24.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 span, imports grew by 37.4%, averaging an 11.2% annual growth rate. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 1 920 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Belgium, and Germany were the key suppliers for Congo's milk and cream imports in volume terms. France accounted for 53.7% of imports, Belgium for 14.4%, and Germany for 13.4%, together making up 81.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Congo's milk and cream imports in value terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 2 762 thousand US dollars, up 13.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 21.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 111 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.3%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 15.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, France, Belgium, and Germany formed the main group of markets for Congo's milk and cream imports in value terms. France held a 62.7% share, Belgium 13.3%, and Germany 9.6%, collectively representing 85.6% of total import flows.

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

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