Milk market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The Egyptian milk market showed steady growth in physical volume from 5 247 thousand tons in 2018 to 6 773 thousand tons in 2022. This expansion was driven by an increase in the number of dairy farmers to 260,000 and the development of industrial processing infrastructure, with 82 units handling a significant share of national production. Enhanced productivity from purebred and hybrid cows, yielding 20% and 84% more milk respectively between 2009 and 2019, further boosted output.

By 2022, the market's growth was reinforced by a 47% rise in dairy imports over the previous decade, reflecting stronger domestic demand. The entry of new international players, such as Irish dairy component manufacturers, strengthened trade partnerships and diversified supply.

In 2023, market volume declined to 5 699 thousand tons. Concurrently, consumer preferences were shifting towards specialized segments, including high-fat dairy ingredients and infant formula, influencing import patterns.

Production milk in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Egypt was among the world's leading milk producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 27th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Egypt's milk production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 5 578 K t of milk, representing a 6.7% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 3.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 173 K t, marking the largest decline of 4.1% during this timeframe.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Egypt's milk production value increased in 2020. The output was valued at 7 434 M $ US, up 5.1% from the previous year. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 24.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 076 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 21.0% drop.

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

Exports milk from Egypt

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for milk from Egypt showed an unstable trend during this period. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Egypt exported 33.5 K t of milk, down 4.3% from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 35.0 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 72.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania (36.9% of exports in kind), Libya (31.4%), and Palestine (11.6%) were the largest contributors to Egypt's milk exports in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Egypt's milk export value declined in 2020. Exports totaled 44.6 M $ US, down 5.8% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 57.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 16.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 47.3 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 42.3% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, Libya (22.2% of exports in value terms), Mauritania (20.0%), and Saudi Arabia (15.0%) formed the core group of markets for Egypt's milk exports by value. Together, these three countries represented 57.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports milk to Egypt

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Egypt's milk import volume declined in 2020. The country imported 101.5 K t of milk, down 6.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume increased by 34.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 10.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 108.5 K t, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 33.5% rise.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 shows that Egypt's milk imports in kind were not heavily concentrated on a few key sources. Germany (19.4% of imports in kind), New Zealand (14.8%), and France (14.3%) together accounted for only 48.5% of total import flows, indicating a diversified supply base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Egypt's milk import value increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports amounted to 285.1 M $ US, up 4.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 52.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 15.1%.

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

The country composition of Egypt's milk imports by value was dispersed from 2017 to 2020. New Zealand (20.6% of imports in value terms), Germany (16.7%), and France (12.5%) together formed just 49.8% of total flows, with the remaining 50.2% distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

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