Milk and cream market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the MENA milk and cream market showed steady growth, with market volume increasing from 35 905 thousand tonnes to 40 932 thousand tonnes. This rise was supported by the entry of new production capacity, specifically the opening of BRF's largest food processing factory in the UAE in 2018, which expanded regional dairy output. Furthermore, Dubai's implementation of updated Food Establishment Requirements in 2020, including specific rules for milk products, encouraged producers to enhance safety standards and likely contributed to sustained market expansion.

The market volume declined to 38 694 thousand tonnes in 2022, a drop of 5.5%. During this period, broader industry trends such as sustainability initiatives linked to UAE Vision 2030 and a growing consumer focus on health and wellness emerged, though these did not offset the overall contraction. In 2023, the market stabilized with a modest recovery to 39 480 thousand tonnes.

Production milk and cream in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

MENA's milk and cream production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 39 101 K t of milk and cream, marking a moderate gain of 6.9% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 35 671 K t, with the largest decline that year of 2.7%.

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

Exports milk and cream from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2019, milk and cream exports from MENA reached their minimum at 147.2 K t, with the largest decline that year of 62.0%. By 2020, exports surged to 439.8 K t, a rise of 198.8% compared to 2019, marking the maximum value. This resulted in a 3-fold variation between the minimum in 2019 and the peak in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for milk and cream from MENA was broad. Afghanistan accounted for 6.0% of exports in kind, Mauritania for 3.0%, and Russia for 1.3%, together contributing only 10.3% of total exports in kind. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

MENA's milk and cream exports in value terms have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 429.6 M $ US, which is 8.4% weaker than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 20.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for exports in value terms was wide. Afghanistan represented 9.5% of exports in value terms, Russia 2.5%, and Mauritania 2.2%, together forming only 14.3% of total flows. A substantial 85.7% was supplied to many other countries.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

MENA's milk and cream imports in kind have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 340.0 K t, showing a steep decrease of 25.8% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 38.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 620.7 K t, with the largest increase that year of 12.5%. In 2019, imports saw the largest decline of 26.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in kind was scattered. Italy accounted for 6.5% of imports in kind, Germany for 5.2%, and Turkey for 5.0%, together making up just 16.7% of total flows. No single partner stood out as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign milk and cream supplies to MENA have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 459.3 M $ US, showing a moderate contraction of 5.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 36.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.2%.

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

The analysis of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. France accounted for 6.6% of imports in value terms, Germany for 4.9%, and Italy for 4.6%, together representing only 16.1% of total flows. A significant 83.9% fell on other partners.

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

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