Milk market in Mauritania

Earlier Report Observations

The milk market in Mauritania showed initial growth in 2019, reaching 480 thousand metric tons, largely driven by a surge in imports to 126 thousand metric tons. This increase coincided with high milk production in neighboring Morocco, which likely enhanced export availability to Mauritania. Earlier in 2018, the local dairy sector saw development with negotiations for a new milk processing plant and a state-owned project in Boghé aiming to boost domestic capacity. However, in 2020, market volume dropped to 447 thousand metric tons as imports fell sharply, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in Moroccan milk production, despite temporary duty suspensions on UHT milk imports during Ramadan.

Market volume recovered to 476 thousand metric tons in 2021 with higher imports, even as Moroccan production continued to decrease and global powdered milk prices rose. The following year, volume declined again to 459 thousand metric tons, influenced by severe drought in Morocco, ongoing pandemic effects, and the war in Ukraine, which raised input costs and disrupted supply chains. Government measures in Morocco, such as subsidies for imported milk powder and butter, aimed to stabilize dairy supplies. By 2023, Mauritania's market stabilized at 463 thousand metric tons, with imports slightly rising despite persistent inflationary pressures on feed and dairy product prices in the region.

Production milk in Mauritania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Mauritania's milk production in 2020 reached 356.1 thousand tonnes, showing minimal change from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 362.1 thousand tonnes. In 2019, production experienced its most significant decline of 2.1%, while the largest increase of 2.6% occurred in 2018.

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

Exports milk from Mauritania

Based on desk research, Mauritania did not export any milk between 2017 and 2020.

Imports milk to Mauritania

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Mauritania's milk imports decreased in 2020. Import volumes reached 91.0 thousand tonnes that year, representing a 27.7% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.6% overall, equivalent to an average annual increase of 2.8%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 125.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 25.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (24.1% of import volume), Germany (18.5%), and Egypt (11.7%) consistently served as Mauritania's primary sources for milk imports. Together, these three countries accounted for 54.3% of total import flows during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Mauritania's milk import value declined in 2020. Import value stood at 74.5 million US dollars that year, down 36.0% from 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 116.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 28.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands (23.8% of import value), France (14.7%), and Poland (12.3%) contributed most significantly to Mauritania's milk imports by value. Collectively, these three countries represented 50.7% of total import flows.

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

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