Milk and cream market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for milk and cream in Northern Africa expanded from 19 568 K t in 2018 to 20 986 K t in 2021, a period marked by increased commercial activity and efforts to strengthen distribution channels, such as searches for partners and wholesalers to market dairy products in the region.

Growth paused in 2022 with a slight decline to 20 818 K t, then fell more sharply to 19 535 K t in 2023. This downturn coincided with heightened regulatory scrutiny, including the withdrawal of imported concentrated milk in Tunisia for labeling non-compliance, reflecting stricter sanitary enforcement that likely constrained import volumes and overall market supply.

Over the full period, the market's trajectory shifted from consistent expansion to contraction, influenced by evolving commercial dynamics and regulatory tightening that reshaped supply conditions.

Production milk and cream in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Milk and cream production in Northern Africa has grown for the second year in a row. In 2018, output hit its lowest point at 19,473 thousand tonnes, but then rebounded with a 2.8% increase in 2019. By 2020, production reached 20,508 thousand tonnes, marking a further 2.4% rise from the previous year. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 3.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, milk and cream production in Northern Africa saw a recovery. The value of output dropped to 15,540 million US dollars in 2019, which was the lowest point and represented a sharp 20.3% decrease. However, in 2020, production rebounded strongly, reaching 17,949 million US dollars—a 15.5% increase from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 18.4%, averaging an annual decline of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milk and cream from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

After increasing for two years, Northern Africa's milk and cream exports declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 41.1 thousand tonnes, surging by 59.8% from the previous year. However, by 2020, exports dropped to 34.1 thousand tonnes, a significant 17.0% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 84.8% overall, with an average annual growth rate of 22.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, milk and cream exports from Northern Africa were distributed across numerous countries. The top three destinations—Mauritania (28.4% of exports in volume), Palestine (8.3%), and Yemen (1.3%)—together accounted for just 38.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of milk and cream exports from Northern Africa fell. In 2019, exports reached their highest point at 31.9 million US dollars, but then declined to 29.9 million US dollars in 2020, a moderate 6.4% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 48.3% overall, with an average annual growth rate of 14.0%. The largest single-year increase occurred in 2018, at 27.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, milk and cream from Northern Africa was exported to a wide range of markets. Even the largest destinations—Mauritania, Palestine, and Yemen—collectively represented only 37.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Milk and cream imports into Northern Africa have decreased for two consecutive years. In 2018, imports peaked at 120.0 thousand tonnes, rising by 28.0% from the previous year. However, by 2020, imports fell to 84.1 thousand tonnes, a 20.5% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume dropped by 10.3% overall, averaging an annual decrease of 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (28.3% of import volume), Turkey (12.4%), and Spain (11.7%) consistently led as the top sources for milk and cream imports into Northern Africa, together accounting for 52.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Milk and cream imports into Northern Africa have declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, import value reached its highest point at 100.0 million US dollars, increasing by 30.1% from the previous year. However, it then fell sharply by 23.0% in 2019, and further declined to 64.2 million US dollars in 2020, a 16.7% drop from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 16.5% overall, with an average annual decline of 5.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, milk and cream imports into Northern Africa came from a diverse set of markets. The top three suppliers—Italy (27.2% of import value), Turkey (10.5%), and Spain (10.4%)—together made up only 48.1% of total import value, with many smaller sources accounting for the remaining 51.9%.

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

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