Market research

Milk market in Sao Tome and Principe

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the milk market volume in Sao Tome and Principe experienced significant changes. After increasing to 2 250 t in 2019, it dropped to 2 056 t in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the closure of the country's main market and disrupted local trade, directly reducing consumption and imports. The appointment of a new Minister of Planning, Finance and Blue Economy in 2018 signaled potential policy shifts, but the immediate market movement was driven by the pandemic response.

Market volume rebounded sharply to 2 339 t in 2021, though a steep decline followed in 2022 to 1 856 t. The market then stabilized at 1 875 t in 2023. That year, the entry of Starlink's high-speed satellite internet service began improving digital connectivity, potentially facilitating milk distribution and marketing. Additionally, interest from Portuguese investors in tourism and agriculture indicated future market development opportunities. By 2024, factors such as a record number of tourists reaching over 35 000 and announced funding from the African Development Bank pointed toward growing demand and investment in local production.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Sao Tome and Principe
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sao Tome and Principe by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production milk in Sao Tome and Principe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Milk production in São Tomé and Príncipe grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 551.5 t of milk, which was 0.8% higher than in 2019. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 532.1 t, marking a 5.2% decline from the previous year. The strongest growth occurred in 2019, with a 2.8% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.2%)	2.8%	0.8%	(0.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports milk from Sao Tome and Principe

Market analysis indicates that São Tomé and Príncipe did not export any milk between 2017 and 2020.

Imports milk to Sao Tome and Principe

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, milk imports into São Tomé and Príncipe fell in 2020. The country imported 1 504 t of milk that year, a significant 11.6% drop compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 5.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.8%. The peak was in 2019, with 1 703 t imported, representing the largest annual increase at 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.9%	12.8%	(11.6%)	1.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure by volume was dominated by Portugal, which accounted for 89.1% of total imports, with numerous smaller partners making up the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, milk imports into São Tomé and Príncipe totaled 2 052 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 6.0% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 7.4%, translating to an average annual drop of 2.5%. The sharpest fall was in 2018, at 6.4%, while the highest increase occurred in 2019, with a 5.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.4%)	5.1%	(6.0%)	(2.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, the geographical distribution of milk imports by value was heavily skewed toward Portugal, which held an 83.6% share of total imports, with other countries contributing relatively small amounts.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sao Tome and Principe in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io