Milk market in Mali

Earlier Report Observations

Mali's milk market volume grew consistently from 947 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 125 thousand tons in 2023, primarily driven by state-led initiatives and international support. The key catalyst was the launch of the Livestock Development Support Project (PADEL-M) in 2018, funded by the World Bank, which directly aimed to boost dairy productivity through producer subsidies, input guarantees, and price support mechanisms. This project, active from 2019, helped increase local milk output and set the stage for sustained market expansion.

Concrete investments in production infrastructure further accelerated growth. In 2023, the opening of the 'Printemps en Afrique de l’Ouest S.A' agro-industrial complex in Ségou, featuring an animal feed plant with a 60 thousand ton annual capacity, secured a critical local input for dairy farmers. Simultaneously, the national agricultural mechanization program and the adoption of the market-oriented SHEP approach in 2022 enhanced farm efficiency and commercial focus, contributing to higher production volumes.

Despite security challenges and natural disasters in regions like Mopti in 2020, continued government subsidies and producer support helped maintain supply stability. Simplified import procedures for milk powder, implemented in 2019, ensured domestic demand was met, while later projects like the Dairy Production Development and Valorization Project (PRODEVALAIT), launched in 2023, worked to increase local self-sufficiency and structurally reduce import reliance over time.

Production milk in Mali

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Mali's milk production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 996.0 thousand tons of milk, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 3.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%.

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

Exports milk from Mali

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2019 at 3 746 tons, then dropped sharply to a low of 591 tons in 2020, representing an 84.2% decrease from the previous year. This swing between the peak and trough was 6.3-fold. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when exports surged by 258.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Guinea, and Malaysia consistently led Mali's milk exports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 43.5% of exports, Guinea for 35.5%, and Malaysia for 7.6%. Together, these three countries made up 86.6% of Mali's total milk export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Mali's milk exports in value terms have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 703 thousand US dollars, a sharp drop of 47.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 50.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 21.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 132 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase that year of 19.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guinea and the Netherlands were the dominant buyers of Mali's milk in value terms, together accounting for 80.2% of total exports. Other partners played a less significant role in the export structure.

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

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

Imports milk to Mali

Imports in kind, t

Mali's milk imports have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached approximately 22 796 tons, up 16.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 6.9%, with an average annual rate of 2.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 15 068 tons, when imports fell by 29.3% year-on-year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 29.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland, Iceland, and China were the main sources of Mali's milk imports by volume. Ireland contributed 25.7% of imports, Iceland 14.0%, and China 11.0%. Combined, these three countries supplied 50.7% of Mali's total milk import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Mali's milk imports in value terms have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 41 219 thousand US dollars, a 13.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 20.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 29 364 thousand US dollars, when imports declined by 14.0% year-on-year. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 24.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ireland, Iceland, and New Zealand were the primary suppliers of milk to Mali in value terms. Ireland accounted for 29.9% of imports, Iceland for 16.4%, and New Zealand for 14.9%. Together, these three countries made up 61.2% of Mali's total milk import value.

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

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