Milk and cream market in Gabon

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the milk and cream market in Gabon reached 16 287 tons, with high imports of 5 719 tons. A government policy promoting local consumption to reduce dependence on food imports, particularly in the dairy sector, began to take effect. This led to a sharp drop in imports to 3 821 tons in 2019, causing the total market volume to fall to 14 366 tons despite a slight dip in domestic production.

After 2019, the market stabilized at around 14 300 tons in 2020. From 2021 onward, ongoing economic reforms favoring agricultural growth stimulated livestock farming and, consequently, local milk production. Production slowly increased from 10 534 tons in 2020 to 10 699 tons in 2023, while imports remained relatively stable, leading to a gradual market recovery to 14 785 tons by 2023.

By 2024, further steps were taken to develop the dairy sector, including the planned arrival of 1 000 cows from Brazil to boost local output and the establishment of the Société d'Agriculture et d'Élevage du Gabon to structure the industry. These measures, along with the creation of the Gabonese Food Safety Agency and an emphasis on economic diversification through agriculture under the Gabon Vert initiative, were implemented to strengthen local milk and cream production.

Production milk and cream in Gabon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Milk and cream production in Gabon has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production stood at 10 534 tonnes, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 24.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.0%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Gabon

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Gabon exported 0.1 tonnes of milk and cream, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire and France were the leading destinations for Gabon's milk and cream exports in kind, together accounting for 96.0% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, the value of Gabon's milk and cream exports totalled 0.4 thousand US dollars, with only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, exports increased by 119.4%, representing a compound annual growth rate of 29.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Côte d'Ivoire were the dominant buyers of milk and cream from Gabon in value terms, together taking 91.7% of total exports, with other partners forming a less significant portion.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Gabon

Imports in kind, t

Milk and cream imports into Gabon declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 3 810 tonnes, showing no material difference year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -1.3%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 719 tonnes, with the largest increase of 44.4% occurring that year. In contrast, the largest decline of 33.2% was recorded in 2019.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, France consistently accounted for 74.9% of Gabon's total milk and cream imports in kind, indicating a high concentration on this market, while the rest was shared among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Milk and cream imports into Gabon declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the import value registered 3 832 thousand US dollars, down by 22.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 177 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 40.6% occurring that year. In contrast, the largest decline of 31.1% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France remained the dominant partner for Gabon's milk and cream imports in value terms, with a share of 80.1% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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