Milk and cream market in Mauritius

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for milk and cream in Mauritius grew from 6 542 tons in 2018 to 7 582 tons in 2019, a 15.9% increase, largely due to rising consumer awareness of the importance of vitamin D and calcium for bone health, which boosted demand for dairy products. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, causing delays in the supply and distribution of dairy products, which led to a 5.9% contraction in market volume to 7 138 tons.

The market showed resilience in 2021, edging up by 1.9% to 7 277 tons despite additional supply chain disruptions and cost increases stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war. In 2022, market volume expanded by 9.7% to 7 980 tons, even as a health scandal involving expired infant milk at Jeetoo Hospital and subsequent product recalls by the Consumer Association of Mauritius potentially affected consumer confidence. A sharp turnaround occurred in 2023 when the market shrank by 41.6% to 4 657 tons, primarily because the removal of subsidies on powdered milk prompted a surge in purchases just before the subsidies ended, followed by a steep drop in demand. The entry of new imported brands from countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay also intensified competition, reshaping the market landscape.

Production milk and cream in Mauritius

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 Mauritius remained broadly stable in 2020, with output at 2,500 tonnes, similar to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 30.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 11.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,500 tonnes, marking the largest decline of 30.6% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw no change in production, with a 0.0% increase.

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

Exports milk and cream from Mauritius

Exports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of milk and cream from Mauritius declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume was recorded at 142 tonnes, down by 23.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 50.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.0%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 324 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 12.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 42.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritius's exports of milk and cream were heavily dependent on Seychelles, which accounted for 99.5% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Milk and cream shipments from Mauritius to abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 97,000 US dollars, representing a sharp drop of 49.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 56.4%, with an annualized decline of 24.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 245,000 US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 9.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms remained heavily focused on Seychelles, which accounted for 98.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Mauritius

Imports in kind, t

After two years of gains, milk and cream imports into Mauritius declined. In 2020, Mauritius imported approximately 4,780 tonnes of milk and cream, constituting a drop of 9.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 49.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 14.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5,267 tonnes, while the largest increase of 36.4% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (26.1% of import volume), France (21.4% of import volume), and New Zealand (12.8% of import volume) continued to be the main suppliers of milk and cream to Mauritius, jointly forming 60.3% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Milk and cream shipments into Mauritius from abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 7,011,000 US dollars, indicating a sharp improvement of 42.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 83.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 22.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France (34.4% of imports in value terms), South Africa (17.2% of imports in value terms), and New Zealand (9.4% of imports in value terms) played the leading roles in imports of milk and cream to Mauritius, jointly taking 61.1% of total flows.

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

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