Milk market in Senegal

Earlier Report Observations

The Senegalese milk market volume remained relatively stable around 268 thousand tons from 2018 to 2019, supported by continued imports of powdered milk from Europe which benefited from a favorable 5% tax rate. This policy kept imported milk affordable while local production faced higher taxation and structural challenges in extensive pastoral farming. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and contributed to a temporary market contraction to 264.7 thousand tons.

Market volume recovered and grew steadily from 2021 onward, reaching 274.8 thousand tons by 2023. This expansion was driven by a significant increase in dairy imports, which reportedly surged by 60% in volume between 2021 and 2022, and by the ongoing development of local mini-dairies across regions like Tambacounda and Kolda. These small-scale processors, supported by government projects, began supplying pasteurized and packaged fresh milk to urban consumers, whose preferences shifted toward locally produced fresh and sterilized milk products.

Production milk in Senegal

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Senegal's milk production experienced a two-year period of growth before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 250.7 thousand tons. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 247.2 thousand tons, marking a 1.4% decrease from the previous year. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2018, with production rising by 2.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Senegal's milk production stood at 863.9 million US dollars, representing a substantial 19.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 21%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when production value dropped by 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Senegal in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milk from Senegal

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Senegal exported 2 047 tons of milk, a significant 69.2% increase from the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, export volumes rose by 28.2%, averaging an 8.6% annual growth rate. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 210 tons, which represented a sharp 39.4% decline from 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Gambia were the primary destinations for Senegal's milk exports by volume. Guinea accounted for 29.0% of exports, Guinea-Bissau for 24.7%, and Gambia for 18.8%. Together, these three countries represented 72.5% of Senegal's total milk export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Senegal's milk exports showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2019, export value reached its lowest point at 3 476 thousand US dollars. By 2020, it had surged to 7 155 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic 105.8% increase from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 2.1 times. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with export value falling by 46.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guinea, Gambia, and Mali were the leading markets for Senegal's milk exports by value. Guinea accounted for 31.4% of export value, Gambia for 19.1%, and Mali for 16.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 67.0% of Senegal's total milk export value during this period.

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

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

Imports milk to Senegal

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Senegal imported 19 640 tons of milk, a modest 4.4% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import volumes grew by 10.2%, averaging a 3.3% annual growth rate. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 19 955 tons, which represented an 11.9% increase from 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with imports falling by 5.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Ghana, and Germany were the main suppliers of milk to Senegal by volume. France accounted for 53.5% of imports, Ghana for 12.1%, and Germany for 8.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 74.2% of Senegal's total milk imports by volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Senegal imported milk valued at 7 155 thousand US dollars, a 9.9% increase from the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 27%, averaging an 8.3% annual growth rate. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with import value jumping by 21.6%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, when import value fell by 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Ghana, and New Zealand were the primary sources of Senegal's milk imports by value. France accounted for 54.8% of import value, Ghana for 12.4%, and New Zealand for 11.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 78.5% of Senegal's total milk import value during this period.

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

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