Milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5% market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market for milk powder with ≤1.5% fat in the MENA region contracted steadily from 474.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 320.7 thousand tons in 2021, primarily due to a sustained decline in import volumes over those years.

A recovery began in 2022, with the market volume growing to 339.8 thousand tons, followed by a sharp expansion to 452.7 thousand tons in 2023, supported by a rebound in imports and a rise in domestic production.

In 2024, import volumes rose further to 510.5 thousand tons, reflecting strong underlying demand fueled by urbanization, increasing health awareness, investments in local production such as a new facility in Algeria, and regulatory support for low-fat dairy product standards.

Production milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5% in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5%, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5%, 2017-2020

Milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% production in the MENA region increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 22 830 tonnes were produced, marking an 8.7% improvement compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 21.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 20 483 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 30.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5% from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 15.6 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2017, showing a 4.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% from MENA amounted to 46.9 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp increase of 200.9% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 55.5%.

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

The structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of trading partners. Pakistan accounted for 13.0% of exports, Somalia for 4.9%, and Afghanistan for 3.3%, together making up just 21.2% of total flows. The remaining 78.8% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% export volumes from MENA increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 140 million US dollars, corresponding to a sharp year-on-year increase of 68.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 26.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 83 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 39.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% from MENA relied on a wide range of partner countries. Pakistan accounted for 14.4% of exports, Somalia for 4.8%, and Afghanistan for 3.6%, together representing just 22.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5% to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Imported volumes of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% in MENA declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 404.0 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate fall of 4.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The highest import level was recorded in 2018 at 489.4 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 9.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind remained highly diversified. France accounted for 16.0% of imports, New Zealand for 11.3%, and Germany for 10.7%, together making up only 38.0% of total flows. The remaining 62.0% was formed by a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year reduction, milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% shipments to MENA from abroad increased. In 2020, imports totaled 1 137 million US dollars, which is 24.9% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 910 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the role of France, New Zealand, and Germany as suppliers of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% to MENA was notable but not dominant. France accounted for 15.7% of imports in value terms, New Zealand for 11.4%, and Germany for 10.1%, with their joint share reaching only 37.2% of total imports.

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

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