Milk market in Cabo Verde

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the milk market volume in Cabo Verde increased from 21 726 t to 24 080 t. This expansion coincided with a government policy to reorganize the economy toward greater productivity and competitiveness, alongside the Ministry of Agriculture's explicit focus on producing more and better with the same resources to enhance dairy farming and raise national milk output.

The market contracted to 22 693 t in 2021, a decline likely influenced by regulatory changes to the public electronic communications concession, which may have disrupted logistics and distribution networks for imported milk. A recovery followed, with volume reaching 23 654 t by 2023, though growth moderated as a prolonged drought constrained local supply and rising living costs affected consumer purchasing power.

Domestic milk production showed consistent growth throughout the period, rising from 8 964 t in 2018 to 10 439 t in 2023. This occurred despite underlying structural challenges in livestock farming, such as low productivity, which kept the country reliant on imports to meet total demand.

Production milk in Cabo Verde

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Cabo Verde's milk production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 9 945 tons of milk, marking a 9.3% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 8 964 tons, with the largest decline that year being 0.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Cabo Verde in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports milk from Cabo Verde

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Cabo Verde's milk exports totaled 35 tons, showing little change from 2018. Over the three-year span from 2017 to 2019, exports surged by 1 253.8%, resulting in an annualized growth rate of 138.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cabo Verde's milk exports in kind were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. The United States accounted for 21.9% of these exports, Portugal for 3.2%, and the Netherlands for 2.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 27.7% of the total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, the value of Cabo Verde's milk exports stood at 83 thousand US dollars, remaining largely stable compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, export value increased by 478.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 79.5%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading destination for Cabo Verde's milk exports in value terms, accounting for 50.8% of the total. Portugal contributed 1.5%, and Germany 1.1%. Combined, these three countries made up 53.4% of the total export value, solidifying their position as the main markets for Cabo Verdean milk.

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

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

Imports milk to Cabo Verde

Imports in kind, t

Cabo Verde's milk imports have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume reached 14 135 tons, with minimal change over the past year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15.1%, reflecting an annualized decline of 5.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 12 762 tons, which saw the largest decline of 23.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase at 10.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Portugal dominated Cabo Verde's milk imports in kind, absorbing 70.7% of the total. The remaining imports were spread across a variety of smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Cabo Verde's milk import value has rebounded. In 2020, imports reached 24 115 thousand US dollars, up by 16.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 20 708 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 9.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Belgium, and the Netherlands were the primary sources for Cabo Verde's milk imports in value terms. Portugal accounted for 38.6% of imports, Belgium for 34.9%, and the Netherlands for 11.3%. Together, these three countries absorbed 84.8% of the total import value, establishing them as the key suppliers to Cabo Verde.

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

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