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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the milk powder market in Rwanda expanded from 8 455 t to 10 058 t. This growth coincided with the Rwanda Dairy Competitiveness Program II, which improved milk quality and modernized dairy production, alongside government initiatives that increased raw milk supply to an estimated 920 million liters annually.

Market volume dipped to 9 776 t in 2021 before recovering to 10 416 t in 2022. During this period, the government continued its support for the dairy sector, and agricultural surveys provided detailed data for policy guidance.

In 2023, the market contracted sharply to 6 624 t as import substitution took effect. The launch of a new instant powdered milk product by Inyange Industries aimed at self-sufficiency led to a dramatic reduction in imports. The following year, Rwanda inaugurated its first state-of-the-art milk powder plant, enhancing local processing capacity.

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

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

Rwanda's production of milk powder with a fat content exceeding 1.5% has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 974 tonnes, representing a 14.5% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 39.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.6%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility over the period. The lowest level was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.1 times. In 2020, Rwanda exported 549 tonnes of milk powder with a fat content above 1.5%, marking a sharp increase of 25.8% from the previous year. The largest decline was observed in 2019, at 15.3%, while the most significant growth took place in 2018, with a 98.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda's exports of milk powder with a fat content over 1.5% were almost entirely concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which accounted for 98.3% of the total volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Rwanda's milk powder exports with a fat content above 1.5% declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 086 thousand US dollars, down 36.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value increased by 4.9%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 730 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 67.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of export value reflected a strong reliance on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which absorbed 98.3% of total flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed an unstable pattern throughout the timeframe. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Rwanda imported 3 633 tonnes of milk powder with a fat content exceeding 1.5%, which was 5.6% lower than in 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 850 tonnes. The most substantial increase took place in 2018, with a rise of 176.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (35.9% of import volume), Germany (27.9%), and Belgium (21.9%) were the main sources for Rwanda's imports of milk powder with a fat content over 1.5%, together accounting for 85.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Rwanda's import value for milk powder with a fat content above 1.5% increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 10 372 thousand US dollars, showing a modest rise of 3.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value surged by 190.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 42.7%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands (34.8% of import value), Germany (25.1%), and Belgium (20.5%) formed the primary cluster of markets for Rwanda's imports in value terms, with a combined share of 80.4% of total flows.

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

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