Milk market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The milk market in the Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded from 16 211 t in 2018 to 25 826 t in 2023. This growth was not linear, with a notable surge in 2020 and a peak of over 27 000 t reached in 2022, followed by a slight contraction in the final year.

Broader economic factors influenced market conditions. High inflation, averaging 9.1% in 2021, increased prices for essential foods including milk, pressuring household budgets and coinciding with a dip in market volume. The following year, the war in Ukraine drove up prices for imported foodstuffs, contributing to domestic inflation of approximately 9.5% and affecting the cost of milk in urban centers like Kinshasa.

By 2023, a tightening of monetary policy helped slow the inflation rate to 6.8%. This moderation in price growth occurred as the total milk market volume receded slightly from its 2022 high, indicating a period of stabilization after the previous year's expansion.

Production milk in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Milk production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 8,371 tons of milk, showing a modest increase of 5.2% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.9%.

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

Exports milk from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, t

Milk exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo have fallen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled just 1 ton, representing a sharp decline of 97.2% from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports plummeted by 99.5%, with an average annual decrease of 82.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Angola and Rwanda were the primary destinations for milk exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Angola accounted for 62.8% of total export volumes, while Rwanda made up 25.0%, together representing 87.8% of all exports. The remaining volume was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of milk exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced significant fluctuations during this period. From the peak in 2017 to the low in 2020, export values varied by a factor of 245. In 2020, milk exports were valued at 2,000 US dollars, marking a dramatic drop of 97.5% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 112.3%.

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

In terms of value, Angola dominated milk exports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 2017 and 2020, accounting for 85.0% of total export flows. The remaining 15.0% was shared among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports milk to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, t

Milk imports into the Democratic Republic of the Congo have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 11,025 tons, up by 28.8% from 2019. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.8%, with an average annual decline of 3.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 8,542 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 30.9%.

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

The structure of milk imports by volume in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was fragmented from 2017 to 2020. The Netherlands, New Zealand, and South Africa were the top sources, accounting for 16.6%, 13.4%, and 13.2% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 43.2% of total import volumes, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, the value of milk imports into the Democratic Republic of the Congo rebounded in 2020. Imports reached 16,677,000 US dollars, showing a slight increase of 5.3% from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import values fell by 40.9%, with an average annual decrease of 16.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15,836,000 US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 42.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Ireland were the leading sources of milk imports by value into the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Netherlands accounted for 31.5% of import value, New Zealand for 20.8%, and Ireland for 16.1%. Combined, these three countries represented 68.4% of total import flows.

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

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