Milk powder with fat content of >1.5% market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

The milk powder market in Moldova began to contract after 2018, when a study revealed the presence of vegetable fats in local dairy products, undermining consumer trust in domestic brands. This was followed in 2019 by the government's introduction of new quality standards for milk and dairy products, which set clear fat content requirements and led producers to adapt, contributing to a drop in output. Throughout this period, the market's significant reliance on imports of raw milk and dairy products from Ukraine continued to influence local supply and consumption patterns, keeping downward pressure on total market volume.

In the early 2020s, local dairy companies like Sana and Vilador invested in their own farms and production technologies, which helped stabilize powder milk production temporarily. However, the market continued to shrink as imports fell sharply. Regulatory developments also played a role, with the clarification of definitions and classification rules for milk powder in 2022, alongside the introduction of specialized infant formulas adapted for nutritional needs, including lactose-free options, which shifted some consumer segments but did not reverse the overall decline in market size.

By 2024, the underlying strain on the sector became clear as domestic milk production hit its lowest level in 75 years, severely limiting raw material availability for milk powder. This entrenched the industry's dependence on imported dairy products, though imports of milk powder specifically remained subdued. The local production of milk powder covered only a fraction of industrial needs, cementing the market's contracted state over the full period.

Production milk powder with fat content of >1.5% in Moldova

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

In 2019, Moldova produced 670 tonnes of milk powder with a fat content exceeding 1.5%, which was the lowest level recorded during the period. Production then remained virtually unchanged in 2020, reaching 671 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 59.5%, representing an average annual decrease of 26.0%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 50.3%.

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

Exports milk powder with fat content of >1.5% from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kazakhstan was the sole destination for Moldova's exports of milk powder with a fat content above 1.5%, accounting for 100.0% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017-2020 period, all of Moldova's exports of milk powder with a fat content exceeding 1.5%, measured in value terms, went to Kazakhstan, making this market completely dominant.

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

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

Imports milk powder with fat content of >1.5% to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

In 2019, Moldova's imports of milk powder with a fat content above 1.5% increased by 13.3%. However, in 2020, imports declined by 14.9% year-over-year to 358.0 tonnes. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 25.9%, with an average annual decline of 9.5%. The largest reduction occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 23.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Belgium, and Denmark were the primary sources for Moldova's imports of milk powder with a fat content exceeding 1.5%. Ukraine accounted for 63.8% of import volumes, Belgium for 14.9%, and Denmark for 11.1%. Together, these three countries represented 89.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2018, Moldova's imports of milk powder with a fat content above 1.5% reached their lowest value at 997 thousand US dollars, following a 35.0% decline. Imports then rebounded in 2019, increasing by 27.6%. However, in 2020, imports fell again by 14.7% to 1 085 thousand US dollars. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 29.3%, equivalent to an average annual reduction of 10.9%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Ukraine and Belgium were the two main sources for Moldova's imports of milk powder with a fat content exceeding 1.5% in value terms, while other markets played a more limited role individually.

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

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