Milk and cream market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Namibian authorities imposed monthly import limits on milk and cream to shield domestic producers, which contributed to a drop in import volumes the following year and led to a contraction of the total market. The market size fell further in 2020 as production declined, though no specific domestic factors were highlighted for that period. A modest recovery in production followed in 2021, setting the stage for stronger growth.

The market expanded notably in 2022, driven by a surge in domestic output that pushed production above 128 thousand tons. This growth occurred despite underlying reports of a long-term decline in the local dairy herd and a shrinking base of milk suppliers, suggesting that the production increase may have been concentrated among remaining larger operators. The overall market volume reached 141.5 thousand tons, its highest point in the period.

By 2023, domestic production eased slightly, but the total market volume remained elevated at 140.7 thousand tons, supported by increased imports. South Africa supplied over 95% of these imports, reflecting Namibia's growing reliance on foreign milk and cream as the number of active local dairy farmers continued to fall, altering the supply structure.

Production milk and cream in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Namibia's milk and cream production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 112.3 K t, which represents a moderate decrease of 6.2% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9%, averaging an annual decline of 3.1%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

Milk and cream exports from Namibia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 11 t, showing a significant rise of 67.5% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 271.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 54.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Angola were the primary destinations for Namibia's milk and cream exports in kind. Together, they accounted for 85.2% of total flows, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo leading at 44.1%, followed by Zambia at 31.0%, and Angola at 10.1%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Milk and cream exports in value terms from Namibia have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 4 K $ US, marking a slight decrease of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 18.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 K $ US, which saw a 20.4% increase. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 30.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Angola, Zambia, and Botswana were the key players in Namibia's milk and cream exports in value terms. Collectively, they made up 56.5% of total flows, with Angola contributing 25.5%, Zambia 19.5%, and Botswana 11.6%.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

Namibia imported 13 747 t of milk and cream in 2020, which is a 28.1% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 17.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 10 734 t, a decline of 39.4% from the previous year. In contrast, 2018 saw the highest volume at 17 726 t, with a 51.4% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for milk and cream imports in kind was highly concentrated, with South Africa alone accounting for 98.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Namibia imported milk and cream worth 9 027 K $ US in 2020, showing a small rise of 1.3% over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 9 027 K $ US, a decline of 9.0%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 9 920 K $ US, which saw a 3.7% increase.

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

In 2017-2020, the partner base for milk and cream imports in value terms was extremely narrow, with South Africa responsible for 98.5% of total flows.

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

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