Market research

Milk market in Africa

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

South Africa's milk market volume expanded from 49.2 million tonnes in 2018 to 54.8 million tonnes in 2022, driven primarily by stable global milk prices that provided predictability for local producers. This growth was further supported by falling fertilizer costs after the 2022 peaks, which lowered input expenses for dairy farmers, and by record agricultural exports that included dairy products.

The sector operated amid evolving regulatory conditions, including debates around the Expropriation Act and the implementation of the Climate Change Act, which introduced emissions reporting requirements for carbon-intensive farms. These factors created an uncertain investment climate, compounded by ongoing farm attacks that affected producer safety and confidence.

Market volume dipped slightly to 54.7 million tonnes in 2023, reflecting a balancing of these challenges against the supportive price and cost environment. Throughout the period, South Africa maintained its position as a net exporter of dairy products, with exports contributing to overall market dynamics.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production milk in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Milk production in Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Africa produced 50 929 thousand tonnes of milk, marking a 1.7% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.6%	4.9%	1.7%	2.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

After two years of growth, Africa's milk production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 97.7 billion US dollars, down by 14.8% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 114.7 billion US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 12.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.0%	12.8%	(14.8%)	(0.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports milk from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, milk export volumes from Africa increased. In 2020, exports reached 152 thousand tonnes, representing an 18.1% rise compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 129 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 13.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(4.9%)	(13.2%)	18.1%	(0.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Palestine was the leading buyer of milk from Africa, accounting for 1.1% of exports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Milk exports from Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Africa exported 293 million US dollars worth of milk, which is 1.0% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.6%)	(6.6%)	(1.0%)	(3.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia (2.0% of exports by value), Palestine (0.8%), and Iraq (0.8%) formed the largest group of buyers for African milk. However, their combined share was only 3.5% of total export value, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports milk to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, milk imports into Africa increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 639 thousand tonnes, up by 1.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 609 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 9.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(9.7%)	(0.7%)	1.9%	(3.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, milk imports into Africa in volume terms were not heavily concentrated. New Zealand (13.1% of imports by volume), the Netherlands (8.0%), and France (7.6%) together accounted for only 28.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, milk import volumes into Africa rose. In 2020, imports were recorded at 3 694 million US dollars, showing a solid increase of 20.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 080 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 2.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.8%)	(2.2%)	20.0%	4.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for milk imports into Africa in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. New Zealand (21.7% of imports by value), the Netherlands (9.5%), and France (8.9%) jointly represented 40.0% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 60.0%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io