Milk market in Gambia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, The Gambia's milk market volume showed significant fluctuations, influenced by agricultural policies and import dynamics. The Vision 2020 framework and the National Development Plan 2018-2021 promoted local production under the "Made in Gambia" brand, yet duty-free imports maintained a substantial foreign supply. Market size rose from 82.4 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 86.9 thousand tons in 2019, fell to 70.8 thousand tons in 2020, and rebounded to 80.4 thousand tons in 2021.

The depreciation of the Gambian dalasi in 2022 increased import costs, causing milk imports to drop to 19.6 thousand tons and pulling total market volume down to 68.6 thousand tons. This exchange rate effect underscored the market's reliance on imported milk.

In 2023, initiatives like Farm Fresh Gambia boosted domestic milk production to 51.9 thousand tons, while relative currency stability allowed imports to edge up. Consequently, the market volume grew to 72.4 thousand tons, signaling a modest shift toward local sourcing.

Production milk in Gambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Gambia's milk production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 49 687 tonnes of milk, which represents a 5.4% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 30.3%, with an average annual decline of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Gambia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports milk from Gambia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports bottomed out in 2018 at 9 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 274 tonnes, marking a 31-fold increase between these two years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of milk from Gambia surged by 1 003.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 56.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Gambia's milk exports were almost exclusively directed to Guinea-Bissau, which accounted for 90.3% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations over this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 4 000 US dollars, then hit their peak in 2017, with a 549-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Gambia exported 199 000 US dollars worth of milk, which is 4 767.5% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 99.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Gambia's milk exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Mali and Guinea-Bissau, with their combined share reaching 99.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milk to Gambia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, cross-border shipments of milk to Gambia declined. In 2020, import volume reached 21 361 tonnes, showing a sharp year-over-year decrease of 37.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 34 386 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 33.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 11.7%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Thailand were the main sources for Gambia's milk imports in volume, together accounting for 55.8% of total imports. Specifically, the Netherlands contributed 24.1%, Malaysia 22.5%, and Thailand 9.1%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of increase, milk shipments to Gambia from abroad declined. In 2020, import volume came to 6 730 000 US dollars, down by 10.3% compared to the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 501 000 US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 25.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 26.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates formed the primary group of destinations for Gambia's milk imports in value terms, with a combined share of 52.8% of total flows. The Netherlands accounted for 29.3%, Malaysia for 17.1%, and the United Arab Emirates for 6.5%.

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

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