Milk market in Benin

Earlier Report Observations

The Beninese milk market experienced initial growth, with production rising from 147.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 151.4 thousand tons in 2019. This increase was supported by the government's Action Program (PAG 2016-2021), which prioritized the dairy sector for food security and job creation, alongside investments in agricultural research through the National Institute of Agricultural Research. However, in 2020, production fell sharply to 128.7 thousand tons, a decline that coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic, likely disrupting agricultural activities and supply chains.

From 2021 onward, production rebounded strongly, reaching 175.0 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery and subsequent growth were driven by the launch of the Prodefilav-Pel development project funded by the African Development Bank, which aimed at improving dairy productivity, along with infrastructure development such as water reservoirs and modern abattoirs. A key driver in 2023 was the Proser project, which increased the cattle herd by 9.3%, directly boosting milk output. Legislative measures, including the 2022 agricultural orientation law, further reinforced the sector's expansion, contributing to a market size that grew from 153.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 178.8 thousand tons in 2023.

Production milk in Benin

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Benin's milk production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 128.7 K t of milk, which represents a 15.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 11.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 151.4 K t, with the largest annual increase of 2.4% occurring that same year.

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

Exports milk from Benin

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.1 t, then peaked in 2017 with a 599-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Benin exported 3 t of milk, marking a dramatic increase of 4,639.9% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Equatorial Guinea and Togo together accounted for 95.1% of Benin's total milk exports in kind, with the remaining flows distributed thinly across other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 0.2 K $ US, then reached their peak in 2020 with a 26-fold difference between these years. In 2020, milk exports from Benin totaled 6 K $ US, representing a substantial increase of 2,521.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 95.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mali and Togo served as the dominant destinations for Benin's milk exports in value terms, jointly capturing 81.9% of total flows while other markets accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports milk to Benin

Imports in kind, t

Benin's milk import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported {value_last_year} t of milk, showing a moderate year-over-year decrease of 10.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 49.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -20.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (21.6% of imports in kind), Malaysia (18.3% of imports in kind), and Belgium (14.0% of imports in kind) remained the main sources for Benin's milk imports in kind, jointly accounting for 53.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Benin's milk import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 4 991 K $ US, representing a significant decrease of 12.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 32.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Benin's milk imports in value terms were the Netherlands (22.7% of imports in value terms), Belgium (19.3% of imports in value terms), and France (16.4% of imports in value terms), which together accounted for 58.4% of total flows.

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

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