Milk market in Samoa

Earlier Report Observations

The milk market in Samoa grew from 6 084 t in 2018 to 10 587 t in 2023, driven primarily by a more than doubling of imports. This trend began after Cyclone Gita in early 2018 damaged local agriculture, reducing the supply of staple crops and raising food prices, which increased demand for imported milk to compensate for the shortfall. Local dairy farmers' calls for greater support at the time highlighted underlying weaknesses in domestic production.

Following 2018, market volume continued to expand, reaching 8 083 t by 2022, while domestic milk output gradually declined. A sharp 31% surge in 2023 to 10 587 t coincided with an increase in the Samoa Quota for permanent residence in New Zealand, which likely boosted demand for imported goods through higher remittances or shifts in consumption patterns. Consumer and business awareness programs launched in 2023 also contributed to greater market activity.

By 2024, milk imports stood at 7 211 t, and new policy measures began shaping market conditions. The launch of the National Industry Development Policy and the extension of the Price Control Order influenced the business environment, while fluctuations in the consumer price index and a decrease in retail fuel prices affected distribution costs and consumer purchasing power for dairy products.

Production milk in Samoa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Samoa's milk production increased after two years of decline. In 2020, Samoa produced 1 649 tonnes of milk, marking a 6.6% increase compared to the previous year. Production decreased by 5.9% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 547 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year drop of 7.6% also occurring that year.

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

Exports milk from Samoa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 5 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 15 tonnes, representing a threefold increase. In 2020, milk deliveries from Samoa amounted to 15 tonnes, a sharp gain of 199.0% relative to the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 26.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tokelau and Curacao remained the primary markets for Samoa's exports in kind, jointly accounting for 96.5% of total flows, while other partners made up the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Exports reached their highest value in 2018 at 117 thousand US dollars, then fell to their lowest in 2020 at 19 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 6.2-fold gap. In 2020, Samoa exported 19 thousand US dollars worth of milk, representing a dramatic decrease of 76.5% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 154.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Tokelau almost entirely determined the geographical structure of Samoa's milk exports in value terms, accounting for 92.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milk to Samoa

Imports in kind, t

Milk shipments to Samoa from abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 6 093 tonnes, constituting a small rise of 1.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 69.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and New Zealand remained the main suppliers of milk to Samoa, with a combined share of 97.7% of total imports in kind, while the remainder was fragmented across other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, milk shipments to Samoa from abroad declined. In 2020, import volume amounted to 5 579 thousand US dollars, which is 19.1% lower than the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 6 895 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 21.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Australia and New Zealand clearly dominated imports in value terms for milk to Samoa, jointly accounting for 92.5% of total flows, whereas other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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