Milk market in Burkina Faso

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, Burkina Faso's milk production increased from 434.3 thousand tons to 448.8 thousand tons, contributing to overall market growth. This expansion was supported by a significant rise in local processing capacity, with the number of milk transformation units growing to 157 by 2018, enabling better collection and handling of domestic raw milk. Concurrently, the launch of the national FaireFaso brand for certified local milk helped create recognizable demand and provided a price premium for producers.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and commercial activities, leading to a temporary contraction in production to 421.1 thousand tons and a drop in total market volume. Recovery began in 2021, aided by ongoing support programs from the National Union of Mini Dairies and Local Milk Producers (UMPL-B), which offered training and mentorship to strengthen the local supply chain.

From 2022 onwards, the gradual adoption of improved cattle feeding practices during the dry season enhanced herd productivity, supporting a steady rise in production to 440.9 thousand tons by 2023. Regulatory developments, including the 2022 implementation of measures from the International Code on the Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, altered market conditions, while announced plans for the state-owned dairy company Faso Kosam signaled a long-term shift toward larger-scale local processing.

Production milk in Burkina Faso

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

In 2020, Burkina Faso produced 421.1 thousand tons of milk, representing a 6.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, milk production declined by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 7.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 3.3% rise.

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

Exports milk from Burkina Faso

Exports in kind, t

Burkina Faso exported 43 tons of milk in 2020, marking a substantial 94.9% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, milk exports plummeted by 95.1%, translating to a compound annual decline rate of 63.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali consistently served as the primary destinations for Burkina Faso's milk exports, together accounting for 96.0% of total export volumes. The remaining 4.0% was distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Burkina Faso's milk exports generated 13 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 96.0% year-over-year decline. From 2017 to 2020, export values decreased by 99.3%, equivalent to an annualized contraction rate of 80.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Mali and Côte d'Ivoire dominated Burkina Faso's milk export market in value terms, jointly representing 99.5% of total export earnings.

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

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

Imports milk to Burkina Faso

Imports in kind, t

Milk imports to Burkina Faso declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 13 560 tons, which was 9.6% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes actually increased by 29.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.0%. The peak import volume occurred in 2018 at 16 348 tons, which represented a significant 56.3% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland (25.8% of import volumes), Togo (22.7%), and the Netherlands (14.9%) consistently ranked as the top sources for Burkina Faso's milk imports. Together, these three countries supplied 63.4% of the country's total milk imports during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Milk import values to Burkina Faso declined for the second straight year in 2020, totaling 13 thousand US dollars, which represented an 8.0% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, however, import values increased by 11.6%, equivalent to a 3.7% annualized growth rate. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 24 192 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 33.1% increase from 2017. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when import values fell by 8.9%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Ireland, and France consistently formed the core of Burkina Faso's milk import market in value terms, collectively accounting for 71.1% of total import expenditures.

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

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