Milk and cream market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Senegalese milk and cream market volume remained around 280 thousand tons, with a decline to 276.3 thousand tons in 2020. This dip was primarily caused by supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected imports of milk powder and local production. During these years, the market faced structural challenges from heavy reliance on imported milk powder, constraining domestic unsweetened condensed milk output, although artisanal mini-dairies began emerging, adding diversity to local supply.

After 2020, the market recovered, reaching 283.4 thousand tons by 2023. This growth was driven by the expansion of mini-dairies across several milk basins, which optimized local milk collection and distribution. Additionally, ongoing discussions about fiscal and trade policies to support the local sector, including measures to reduce dependence on milk powder imports, helped enhance the competitiveness of domestic production and contributed to the volume increase in 2022 and 2023.

In value terms, the market showed greater volatility, falling from USD 347.2 million in 2018 to USD 297.2 million in 2020 before rebounding to USD 352.6 million in 2022. The initial drop was exacerbated by competitive pressure from imported dairy products and the impact of an 18% VAT on collected milk, which raised production costs. The recovery aligned with initiatives to improve non-price competitiveness, such as quality enhancements and better consumer perception of local milk and cream, though the value slightly softened to USD 346.5 million in 2023.

Production milk and cream in Senegal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

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

Senegal's milk and cream production volume grew for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 273.0 K t. However, in 2020, output fell to 268.9 K t, marking a 1.5% decrease from the previous year. The most significant growth occurred in 2018, with a 2.5% increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Senegal's milk and cream production value has declined for two years in a row. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 339.2 M $ US. By 2020, production value dropped to 288.5 M $ US, representing a 9.8% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase also occurred in 2018, with a 17.4% rise.

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

Exports milk and cream from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

Milk and cream exports from Senegal have increased for two consecutive years. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 285 t, with a significant 45.9% decline that year. However, in 2019, exports rebounded sharply with a 56.2% increase. By 2020, exports reached 491 t, showing a 10.4% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall decreased by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guinea-Bissau and Gambia were the dominant destinations for Senegal's milk and cream exports in volume terms, while other countries accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Senegal's milk and cream export value has risen for two straight years. In 2018, export value reached its minimum at 354 K $ US, experiencing a substantial 38.0% drop. The following year, in 2019, exports surged by 46.9%. By 2020, export value climbed to 527 K $ US, reflecting a modest 1.1% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, export value overall fell by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary destinations for Senegal's milk and cream exports in value terms were Guinea-Bissau, accounting for 59.0% of export value, Gambia at 20.7%, and Mali at 9.7%. Together, these three countries represented 89.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

Senegal's milk and cream imports grew for two years before declining. In 2018, imports saw the largest increase at 8.5%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 8 091 t. In 2020, imports fell to 7 852 t, a 3.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports overall increased by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Germany were the main sources for Senegal's milk and cream imports in volume terms, together making up 87.8% of total imports, while other countries had smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Senegal's milk and cream import value increased for two years before leveling off. In 2018, import value rose by 22.5%, the largest increase during the period. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 249 K $ US. In 2020, import value was 9 215 K $ US, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports overall grew by 34.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, France was the dominant source for Senegal's milk and cream imports in value terms, accounting for 72.6% of total import value, with the remainder distributed among various smaller partners.

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

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