Milk and cream market in Mauritania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Mauritania's milk and cream market volume fluctuated, rising overall from 434 thousand tons to 447 thousand tons. A central driver was the state-led initiative to boost domestic production, notably through the public dairy project in Boghé. This project, supported by international partners, aimed to multiply milk yields and reduce import dependence, culminating in the plant's launch in 2023 with a capacity of 30 000 liters per day.

Market volume peaked in 2021 at 459 thousand tons, largely due to a significant increase in imports of milk powder and dairy blends. However, from 2022 onward, stricter sanitary compliance controls on imported dairy products led to the withdrawal of non-conforming lots and reduced import volumes. This regulatory tightening contributed to the subsequent market contraction, alongside persistent climatic stresses and regional conflicts that disrupted milk collection and herd management.

The period also saw enhanced organization of the dairy supply chain, with improved purchasing terms for small herders and centralized feed procurement to lower costs. Consumer preference for fresh local milk over imported concentrated products further supported domestic production efforts, even as challenges like water salinity and genetic limitations in herds were addressed.

Production milk and cream in Mauritania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Mauritania's production of milk and cream remained virtually unchanged in 2020, reaching 380.5 thousand tonnes compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 2.6%, while the highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 389.2 thousand tonnes, representing an increase of 3.4%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Mauritania

According to market data, Mauritania did not export any milk or cream between 2017 and 2020.

Imports milk and cream to Mauritania

Imports in kind, t

Mauritania's imports of milk and cream declined in 2020 after two consecutive years of growth. The import volume for 2020 was 51 449 tonnes, marking a significant drop of 11.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 38.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 58 359 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 31.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Egypt, and Denmark consistently served as the primary sources for Mauritania's milk and cream imports by volume. Germany accounted for 34.8% of imports, Egypt for 21.9%, and Denmark for 10.1%, collectively representing 66.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Mauritania's imports of milk and cream by value decreased in 2020 following two years of growth. Imports totaled 19 210 thousand US dollars in 2020, down 14.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 30.8%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 9.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 22 442 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 32.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Germany, Egypt, and Denmark formed the main cluster of markets for Mauritania's milk and cream imports by value. Germany contributed 37.0% of import value, Egypt 19.1%, and Denmark 10.5%, together accounting for 66.6% of total import flows.

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

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