Milk market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Sudan's milk market volume expanded consistently, reaching 4 697 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by sustained state investment in major irrigation projects like Gezira and Rahad, which increased feed production for dairy herds. The establishment of new private companies and partnerships in the livestock sector also added momentum, while government policies aimed at stabilizing the currency and encouraging investment improved the operating environment. Even the global supply chain disruptions from COVID-19 in 2020 were offset by a renewed focus on boosting local production and securing feed inputs.

The market contracted in 2021 to 4 560 thousand tons, primarily due to the introduction of new food safety and quality legislation for dairy products, which required producers to adapt their operations. Ongoing exchange rate volatility further increased production costs. By 2022, the market stabilized at around 4 490 thousand tons, supported by continued government backing for irrigation and feed investments, as well as updates to the safety regulations that provided clearer guidelines for the sector.

A recovery took hold in 2023, with the market volume rising to 4 532 thousand tons, marking a return to gradual growth and concluding the period with an overall larger market than at its start in 2018.

Production milk in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan ranked as the 29th largest milk producer in the world.

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Sudan's milk production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 655 K t of milk, marking a slight rise of 0.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%.

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

Exports milk from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest level in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 157 times. In 2019, Sudan exported 14 t of milk, down by 94.0% compared to 2018. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 235 t, with the largest increase that year reaching 15 590.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Yemen was the main buyer of milk from Sudan, accounting for 89.8% of total exports in kind, while other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Export values varied 188 times from the low in 2017 to the high in 2018. In 2019, Sudan exported 0.0 M $ US of milk, constituting a reduction of 92.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.2 M $ US, with the largest increase that year reaching 18 748.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Yemen concentrated most of exports in value terms, taking 88.7% of total flows, with a fragmented tail of other markets.

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

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

Imports milk to Sudan

Imports in kind, t

Sudan's milk import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Sudan imported a total of 42 046 t of milk, which is 43.4% more compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 26.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.1%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 23 412 t, with the largest decline that year at 29.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets — New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia — together accounted for 80.6% of total milk imports in kind to Sudan.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Sudan's milk import volumes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 119.2 M $ US, reflecting a sudden rise of 52.5% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 48.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 72.1 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand (41.3% of imports in value terms), the United Arab Emirates (21.7% of imports in value terms), and Malaysia (18.2% of imports in value terms) led the structure of imports in value terms, together representing 81.2% of total flows.

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

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