Market research

Milk market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

Milk production in Eastern Africa increased steadily from 20.7 million tons in 2018 to 25.9 million tons in 2023, with the market volume expanding by over 5 million tons. This growth was supported by a series of regional initiatives aimed at modernizing dairy farming and enhancing processing infrastructure across several countries.

Government-led efforts played a central role, including Rwanda's move to establish a dairy board to regulate the value chain and Uganda's expansion of milk collection centers, which improved farmer access and compliance with quality standards. In Tanzania, strategies to boost domestic milk production and address quality issues, alongside Kenya's expansion of local processing capacity for milk powder, cheese, and butter, directly contributed to higher output.

Market demand for quality dairy products and investments in value addition, such as Uganda's dairy cottages working to reduce post-harvest losses, further supported the sector's expansion. The focus on meeting international standards also helped penetrate new export markets, reinforcing the upward trend in production.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production milk in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Milk production in Eastern Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 23 032 K t of milk, marking a 1.9% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.5%	9.2%	1.9%	4.8%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year decline, milk production in Eastern Africa increased. In 2020, the output of milk was valued at 24 761 M $ US, up by 13.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 21 840 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.5%)	(1.6%)	13.4%	3.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports milk from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Eastern Africa's milk export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 66.0 K t, marking a moderate decline of 7.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 11.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.2%)	(4.2%)	(7.0%)	(3.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remained the key partner for exports in kind of milk from Eastern Africa, accounting for 2.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year drop, foreign milk supplies from Eastern Africa increased. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 71.0 M $ US of milk, up by 3.5% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 15.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 68.6 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 13.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.0%)	(13.7%)	3.5%	(5.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Japan retained their positions as the main buyers of milk from Eastern Africa, with a combined share of 8.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports milk to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year gain, imported milk volumes in Eastern Africa declined. In 2020, imports tallied 212.9 K t, indicating a reduction of 5.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 22.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 225.7 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 15.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.5%	15.1%	(5.7%)	6.9%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of milk to Eastern Africa were allocated across a large number of markets. Malaysia (7.9% of imports in kind), New Zealand (7.3% of imports in kind), and South Africa (5.9% of imports in kind) jointly accounted for only 21.1% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year gain, the volume of milk imports in Eastern Africa declined. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported a total of 297.6 M $ US of milk, constituting a strong fall of 11.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 334.9 M $ US, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.3%	0.6%	(11.1%)	(1.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of milk to Eastern Africa were spread across many countries. New Zealand (16.5% of imports in value terms), South Africa (10.0% of imports in value terms), and Malaysia (7.5% of imports in value terms) jointly accounted for only 34.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io