Milk and cream market in Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, milk and cream production in Eswatini was 44 thousand tons, with market volume at 55 thousand tons. The Eswatini Dairy Board assisted farmers in importing dairy cattle to boost production, addressing local herd scarcity. However, local output remained well below demand, sustaining imports of 11 thousand tons. The following year, production fell to 41 thousand tons as small-scale farmers faced high feed costs and low milk prices, which hampered productivity.

Production recovered to 42.6 thousand tons in 2020, and market volume expanded to 57 thousand tons. Through 2021 and 2022, output held steady at 42.7 thousand tons, while growing imports lifted the total market volume to 59 thousand tons by the end of 2022.

A notable increase occurred in 2023, with production rising to 45 thousand tons and market volume reaching 61 thousand tons. This growth was supported by the strategic relaunch of the Eswatini Dairy Board, which focused on raising milk output, and the entry of a new consolidated player following Eswatini Dairy's acquisition of Swazi Milk.

Production milk and cream in Eswatini

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Eswatini's milk and cream production volume increased after two years of decline. In 2020, the country produced 42 551 tonnes, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 3.0%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 41 304 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.1%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Eswatini

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, milk and cream exports from Eswatini reached 376 tonnes, representing a dramatic increase of 527.5% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Eswatini's milk and cream exports were almost exclusively directed to South Africa, which accounted for 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2018, Eswatini's milk and cream exports totaled 150 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial increase of 521.6% compared to 2017.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, South Africa dominated the geographical structure of Eswatini's milk and cream exports in value terms, representing 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Eswatini

Imports in kind, t

Milk and cream imports into Eswatini grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 14 736 tonnes, which was 9.0% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 40.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa served as the primary source for Eswatini's milk and cream imports, consistently accounting for 92.2% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Eswatini's milk and cream import value declined. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 8 839 thousand US dollars, showing a slight reduction of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 17.9%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 5.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 8 938 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market structure was highly concentrated, with South Africa alone responsible for 91.8% of total import value.

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

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