Market research

Whey market in Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The African whey market grew from 61.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 75.3 thousand tons in 2019, driven by the entry of new players and the launch of large-scale dairy production facilities in South Africa. Continued expansion of specialized segments like whey proteins for sports nutrition and supportive national agricultural policies further stimulated consumption. The market experienced a slight contraction to 73.2 thousand tons in 2020 due to supply chain and distribution disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, despite rising consumer interest in healthy dairy products.

Market volume rebounded strongly to 85.2 thousand tons in 2021, supported by new processing plant launches and product innovations targeting health and nutrition. Growth continued into 2022, with the market reaching 92.1 thousand tons, fueled by increased investment in local whey production capacity and the emergence of new product segments such as dietary supplements.

In 2023, the whey market volume in Africa declined to 76.7 thousand tons.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production whey in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of whey, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of whey, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, volumes reached their lowest point, then peaked in 2018 with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Africa produced 3 K t of whey, representing a 9.2% increase compared to the previous year. The maximum production of 5 K t was recorded in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 42.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 80.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	80.7%	(42.8%)	9.2%	4.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports whey from Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From the low in 2018 to the high in 2017, volumes varied 120 times. In 2020, Africa's whey exports reached 1 236 t, marking a sharp rise of 155.4% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 34 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 99.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 1 309.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(99.2%)	1 309.6%	155.4%	(33.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, India, and France were the main destinations for Africa's whey exports in kind. Japan accounted for 59.7% of exports, India for 3.2%, and France for 2.8%, together absorbing 65.6% of total exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. A 9.3-fold variation was observed between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2017. In 2020, whey exports from Africa stood at 1 629 K $ US, which is 235.1% greater than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 424 K $ US, with the largest decline occurring that year at 89.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(89.2%)	14.7%	235.1%	(25.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Africa's whey exports in value terms were Japan, India, and France, together accounting for 53.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports whey to Africa

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, cross-border shipments of whey to Africa declined. In 2020, Africa imported 71 460 t of whey, corresponding to a reduction of 2.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 40.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 73 097 t, with the largest increase that year at 28.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.0%	28.3%	(2.2%)	12.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France, Turkey, and Poland were the principal suppliers of whey to Africa in kind. France accounted for 25.4% of imports, Turkey for 21.2%, and Poland for 11.8%, jointly representing 58.4% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Whey imports to Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 96 042 K $ US, amounting to a modest improvement of 7.4% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 38.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.4%	22.7%	7.4%	11.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France, Turkey, and Poland formed the main cluster of markets for Africa's whey imports in value terms. France accounted for 30.5% of imports, Turkey for 16.6%, and Poland for 9.9%, with a combined share of 57.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io