Milk market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

The Ivorian milk market volume grew consistently from 47,098 tons in 2018 to 61,015 tons in 2021. This expansion occurred against a backdrop of a persistent structural deficit, where traditional local production fell far short of consumption, necessitating high imports. General economic growth supported demand, while regional policy adjustments by ECOWAS aimed at promoting sustainable local milk development in West Africa provided a supportive context.

A significant acceleration in market growth occurred in 2021, coinciding with a major framework partnership agreement between the Ivorian government and the multinational dairy company FrieslandCampina. This cooperation, which included the establishment of the Dutch Dairy Expertise Center (NDEC-CI), was designed to strengthen the entire local dairy value chain through training, research, and technology transfer. The market then contracted in 2022 following the government's imposition of price ceilings on milk and other staple goods via an interministerial decree in November to combat high living costs.

Market volume stabilized at 58,886 tons in 2023. This followed the previous year's regulatory intervention and was supported by the continued reinforcement of the technical partnership with the Netherlands, focusing on the operationalization of the NDEC-CI to improve local milk production and meet farmers' expectations.

Production milk in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Milk production in Côte d'Ivoire has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 34 668 tonnes of milk, representing a slight year-on-year growth of 1.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 5.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Côte d'Ivoire's milk production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 61 401 thousand US dollars, showing a controlled increase of 5.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 29.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports milk from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

After two years of contraction, milk exports from Côte d'Ivoire have increased. In 2020, exports totalled 2 334 tonnes, marking a robust year-on-year rise of 10.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 66.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 30.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 107 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 59.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Burkina Faso and Mali were the main destinations for milk exports in kind, jointly accounting for 95.5% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, milk exports from Côte d'Ivoire have risen. In 2020, the export value amounted to 4 134 thousand US dollars, which is 15.3% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 58.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 25.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 584 thousand US dollars, and the largest drop occurred in 2018, at 57.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Burkina Faso played the leading role in milk exports in value terms, holding a share of 75.9% of total flows, while other markets accounted for the remainder.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports milk to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year drop, Côte d'Ivoire's milk import volume has increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 18 976 tonnes, showing an advance of 18.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 987 tonnes, and the largest decline was in 2018, at 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2017 to 2020, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands led the structure of milk imports in kind, with shares of 23.7%, 18.9%, and 17.4% respectively, together representing 60.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Milk imports into Côte d'Ivoire have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 56 567 thousand US dollars, representing a robust increase of 19.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 13%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 46 068 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline also occurring in 2018, at 8.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—the Netherlands, Ireland, and France—remained central to milk imports in value terms, together accounting for 64.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020