Milk market in Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The milk market volume in Congo experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a decline to 9 688 t in 2019, consumption rebounded sharply to 13 196 t in 2020, then eased slightly before surging again to reach 20 975 t by 2023.

The peak in 2023 coincided with a significant increase in milk imports, which more than doubled compared to the previous year. During this period, the Congolese franc depreciated against the US dollar, leading to higher prices for consumer goods including milk in Kinshasa. This currency pressure affected purchasing power, yet import volumes rose substantially, expanding the overall market size.

Domestic milk production remained steady around 4 500 t annually throughout the period, indicating that the market's volatility was primarily driven by changes in import flows rather than local output.

Production milk in Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Congo's milk production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 456 tons of milk, marking a 1.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 546 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports milk from Congo

Exports in kind, t

Congo's milk exports fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 2 tons of milk, a sharp 59.9% drop from the year before. From 2018 to 2020, exports decreased by 76.8%, with an average annual decline of 38.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo together accounted for 100.0% of Congo's milk exports in volume, showing a highly concentrated export market.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 15-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Congo's milk exports totaled 4 thousand US dollars, a 70.7% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 15 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1,400.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic were the primary destinations for Congo's milk exports in value terms, together making up 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milk to Congo

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Congo's milk imports rebounded. In 2020, imports reached 8 742 tons, a significant 68.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 39.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 176 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for Congo's milk imports in volume were Belgium (22.1% of imports), France (19.7% of imports), and Malaysia (13.3% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 55.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Congo's milk imports in value terms increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 19 570 thousand US dollars, representing a 50.9% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 32.6%, with an average annual increase of 9.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 966 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest drop of 7.5%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Congo's milk imports in value terms were Belgium (33.3% of imports), France (12.2% of imports), and Ireland (10.6% of imports). Collectively, these countries made up 56.0% of total import flows.

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

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