Milk market in Timor-Leste

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Timor-Leste's milk market volume showed fluctuations, starting at 9.5 thousand tons in 2018. Domestic milk production grew steadily, supported by government initiatives such as the strategic plan to transition agriculture from subsistence to market-oriented farming and the Community Agricultural Development Program, which distributed livestock and machinery to boost milk yields.

In 2021, despite further production growth to 6.3 thousand tons, the total market volume contracted to 8.9 thousand tons as imports fell. Regulatory amendments to the quality institute statute and investments in productive infrastructure, including the authorization for industrial fishing vessels, indicated continued focus on strengthening the agricultural sector. By 2022, production reached a peak of 6.5 thousand tons, and the market volume stabilized at approximately 8.9 thousand tons.

A significant drop in production to 5.5 thousand tons in 2023 reduced the market volume to 8.1 thousand tons, even as imports partially recovered. Regulatory revisions affecting pharmacy oversight and economic activity licensing may have influenced the distribution landscape for dairy products. In 2024, imports surged to 4.3 thousand tons, driven by factors including the adoption of the WTO accession protocol, the establishment of People's Shops to improve access to essential goods like milk, and measures to support consumers amid inflation.

Production milk in Timor-Leste

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Timor-Leste's milk production continued to grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 059 tonnes of milk, representing a modest 3.4% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 699 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.8% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Timor-Leste in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports milk from Timor-Leste

According to market research, Timor-Leste did not export any milk between 2017 and 2020.

Imports milk to Timor-Leste

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Timor-Leste imported 3 123 tonnes of milk, showing a 4.0% increase from 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports actually decreased by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 3 003 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 3 802 tonnes. The most significant drop happened in 2019 at 21.0%, whereas the largest rise was recorded in 2018 with a 7.3% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia dominated Timor-Leste's milk imports in volume, accounting for 82.8% of the total. The remaining imports were spread across various other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Timor-Leste's milk imports were valued at approximately 7 080 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 37.4% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value surged by 80.2%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 21.7%. The most notable decrease occurred in 2019 at 4.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 37.8% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Indonesia remained the primary source for Timor-Leste's milk imports in value terms, holding an 87.5% share of total imports. The rest was distributed among a range of other countries.

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

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