Milk market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Myanmar's milk production increased steadily from 2 million tons to 2.24 million tons, supported by growing domestic consumption driven by higher incomes and greater health awareness. Industry initiatives, such as the formation of the Myanmar Dairy Association and ongoing efforts to improve dairy cattle genetics and farming practices, gradually enhanced local output despite the sector's early development stage and structural limitations.

The market saw increased competition with the entry of major international players like Dutch Mill and CP from Thailand. However, from 2021 onward, supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability made imports more difficult and costly, contributing to a decline in dairy product inflows. This period also saw the implementation of new food safety and labeling regulations by the Myanmar FDA, including the 2022 Pre-packaged Food Labelling Order, which further shaped market access for domestic and imported products.

Although local production could not fully meet demand, leading to continued imports, the overall market size expanded as rising domestic output compensated for lower import volumes. Regulatory measures focused on product safety and labeling, alongside persistent efforts to improve milk quality and herd genetics, characterized the sector's development throughout the period.

Production milk in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Myanmar's milk production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 097 thousand tons of milk, marking a slight increase of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 17.6%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 6.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 000 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year decline of 21.4% occurring that same year. In contrast, the largest increase was observed in 2019, when production rose by 2.6%.

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

Exports milk from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the observed period. Export volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2018 at 8 tons and the peak in 2019 at 148 tons, representing a 20-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Myanmar's milk exports stood at 20 tons, marking a sharp decline of 86.8% from 2019. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, when exports surged by 1 853.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was the key partner for Myanmar's milk exports in volume terms, accounting for 90.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values peaked in 2019 at 81 thousand US dollars and dropped to their lowest point in 2017, with a 26-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Myanmar's milk export value totaled 10 thousand US dollars, which is 87.7% lower year-over-year. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when export values rose by 799.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, India was the dominant market for Myanmar's milk exports in value terms, taking 88.3% of total flows, while other countries together accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports milk to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

Myanmar's milk imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 21 243 tons, up by 11.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 35.8%, equating to an annualized increase rate of 10.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—New Zealand, Australia, and Germany—together absorbed 73.2% of Myanmar's total milk imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Myanmar's milk imports increased in 2020. Imports amounted to 42 569 thousand US dollars, which is 11.7% higher year-over-year. However, looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 11.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 3.9%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 38 108 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year decline of 17.1% occurring in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, New Zealand (61.1% of imports in value terms), Malaysia (8.9%), and Australia (8.2%) remained the main markets for Myanmar's milk imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 78.2% of total import flows.

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

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