Milk market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

Ethiopia's milk market exhibited considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. Market volume rose sharply from 3,672 thousand tons in 2018 to 4,196 thousand tons in 2019, followed by a contraction to 3,807 thousand tons in 2020.

After a period of stabilization in 2021, the market rebounded to a second peak of 4,201 thousand tons in 2022, only to decline again to 3,788 thousand tons in 2023. These swings were closely mirrored by domestic production trends, while imports and exports remained marginal throughout the period.

Production milk in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's milk production reached 3,800 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 9.4% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3,670 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 4,194 thousand tonnes. The most significant year-over-year growth was observed in 2019, when production surged by 14.3%.

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

Exports milk from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

Milk export volumes displayed considerable volatility throughout the period. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, while exports peaked in 2019, showing a dramatic 223,248-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ethiopia exported 988 tonnes of milk, representing a 26.3% decline from the previous year. The maximum export volume was achieved in 2019 at 1,339 tonnes, with the largest percentage increase occurring in 2018 at 5,143,850.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia's milk export market was highly concentrated, with Somalia accounting for 100.0% of all exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of milk exports showed notable fluctuations during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with an 879-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ethiopia's milk exports were valued at 81 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 25.3% decrease compared to 2019. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 109 thousand US dollars, while the most substantial percentage increase occurred in 2018 at 20,641.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Somalia remained the dominant buyer of Ethiopian milk in value terms, accounting for 99.9% of total export earnings.

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

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

Imports milk to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

Milk import volumes experienced significant instability throughout the timeframe. The lowest import level was recorded in 2018, while imports peaked in 2020, showing a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Ethiopia imported 7,977 tonnes of milk, representing a substantial 155.2% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was 2,617 tonnes in 2018, while the largest percentage decrease occurred that same year at 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia sourced milk imports from a diverse range of suppliers. New Zealand accounted for 19.5% of import volumes, Malaysia contributed 13.4%, and Oman represented 10.9%, with these three countries together making up 43.9% of total imports. Numerous other countries held smaller but meaningful shares in Ethiopia's import portfolio.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Ethiopia's milk import value increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 27,993 thousand US dollars. This represented a dramatic 113.1% surge compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values grew by 129.9%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 32.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland (24.2% of import value), New Zealand (17.7%), and France (16.0%) consistently served as Ethiopia's primary sources for milk imports in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 57.9% of total import spending.

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

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