Milk market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The milk market in Zambia showed consistent growth in volume from 437 thousand tons in 2018 to 543 thousand tons in 2023, with a temporary slight contraction in 2020. The most substantial expansions occurred in 2022 and 2023, where market size increased by 10% and 7% respectively, largely fueled by a significant rise in domestic production which reached 543 thousand tons by 2023.

Improved market transparency, supported by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock's regular dissemination of price and supply data through market bulletins, helped inform stakeholders. Favorable conditions influenced by border trade at Kasumbalesa and regional supply variations, such as low supply in Luapula province affecting local prices, contributed to the market environment during 2022. By 2024, price movements in milk products were noted as a factor in broader inflation trends, reflecting its economic importance.

While export volumes increased notably from 2021, peaking in 2022, the domestic market remained the core driver of overall consumption growth throughout the period.

Production milk in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Zambia's milk production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 436.6 thousand tons of milk, representing a slight decrease of 2.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 447.2 thousand tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 8.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Zambia's milk production value declined following two years of gains. In 2020, milk output was valued at 1 174 million US dollars, marking a significant decrease of 27.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 3.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 627 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 22.2%.

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

Exports milk from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Zambia's milk exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the country exported 869 tons of milk, representing a sharp increase of 74.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 77.0% of Zambia's total milk exports by volume, while the remaining exports were distributed among multiple smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Zambia exported milk worth 2 336 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a gain of 28.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 53.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 8.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 30.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the primary buyer of Zambian milk, accounting for 84.2% of total exports by value. The remaining exports were distributed among a diverse group of other countries.

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

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

Imports milk to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Zambia's milk imports dropped to their lowest level in 2019 and climbed to their highest in 2018, with a 1.8-fold shift between these years. In 2020, the country imported 8 478 tons of milk, indicating a sharp advance of 83.3% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 626 tons, while the maximum was in 2018 at 8 497 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 45.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (41.3% of imports by volume), the United Arab Emirates (13.5%), and New Zealand (7.7%) were the main suppliers of milk to Zambia, together comprising 62.5% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Zambia's milk imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 9 656 thousand US dollars, constituting a drop of 23.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 43.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 27 682 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 54.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 60.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa (36.6% of imports by value), the United Arab Emirates (13.4%), and New Zealand (10.2%) remained the key partners for Zambia's milk imports, together accounting for 60.2% of total import value.

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

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