Milk and cream market in Qatar

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not concentrated, not sweetened milk and cream in Qatar contracted significantly from over 80,900 t in 2018 to below 49,600 t in 2022, before recovering to 54,800 t in 2023. This decline was primarily driven by a sharp drop in imports, which fell from 31,000 t in 2018 to just 5,100 t in 2022. Regulatory measures played a key role: starting in 2018, the government required price approvals for condensed milk to prevent excessive hikes. In 2019, a Ministry of Municipality and Environment initiative supported local dairy farmers to boost domestic production, while in 2020 and 2022, authorities imposed Ramadan price caps, expanded price control lists, and introduced stricter quality and labeling requirements for imported dairy products. These import barriers directly reduced the volume of foreign milk and cream entering the market.

The market turnaround in 2023, with imports more than doubling to 10,700 t, followed a Ministry of Commerce and Industry decision to reduce licensing and import duties, facilitating entry for new investors. Earlier, in 2021, local producer Baladna announced an expansion of its annual milk and derivatives capacity to 828,000 t, reflecting growing domestic capabilities. Looking ahead, the 2024 Import of Cheeses and Dairy Products Law detailed new import procedures, and the National Food Security Strategy 2030, announced in December 2024, aims to invest in processing facilities to curb import reliance, signaling a continued focus on self-sufficiency.

Production milk and cream in Qatar

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Qatar's milk and cream production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 50 625 tonnes. However, by 2020, it had fallen to 49 354 tonnes, marking a 2.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The most significant yearly increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 6.9%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Qatar

According to market report findings, Qatar did not export any milk or cream between 2017 and 2020.

Imports milk and cream to Qatar

Imports in kind, t

Qatar's imports of milk and cream declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, imports stood at {value_last_year} tonnes, but by 2020, they had dropped dramatically to {value_last_year} tonnes, representing a sharp 47.5% decrease. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 86.6%, with an average annual decline of 48.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait were the primary sources for Qatar's milk and cream imports by volume. Turkey accounted for 25.8% of imports, Saudi Arabia for 18.0%, and Kuwait for 13.5%. Together, these three countries made up 57.3% of total import flows during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Qatar's milk and cream imports by value also declined for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports were valued at a higher level, but by 2020, they had decreased to 9 614 thousand US dollars, showing a significant 31.9% drop from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values fell by 83.7%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 45.4%.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait remained Qatar's key import partners. Turkey contributed 28.1% of import value, Saudi Arabia 15.7%, and Kuwait 12.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 56.1% of total import flows by value over these years.

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

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