Market research

Whey market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

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 whey market in Sub-Saharan Africa grew from 33,273 tons in 2018 to 42,107 tons in 2019, supported by a regional campaign promoting local milk production which raised awareness and demand for dairy products. After a decline to 37,687 tons in 2020, the market rebounded to 44,845 tons in 2021 and reached 50,675 tons in 2022, as the expansion of digital commerce platforms improved distribution and strengthened regional trade policies facilitated greater market access for imports.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 38,245 tons as new European regulatory requirements prompted several food companies to scale back their operations in the region, reducing import activity and overall market participation.

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 Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde 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, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde 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, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde 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, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde 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, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ 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 Sub-Saharan 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

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Production reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa produced 3 K t of whey, up 9.2% from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 42.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 80.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan 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 Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 34 t, then surged to a peak in 2017, with a 120-fold difference between these years. In 2020, whey exports from Sub-Saharan Africa totaled 782 t, a sharp increase of 119.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, falling by 99.2%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019, jumping by 936.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(99.2%)	936.7%	119.8%	(42.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, India, and France were consistently the main destinations for whey exports in kind. Japan accounted for 63.1% of exports, India for 3.3%, and France for 2.9%, together making up 69.3% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Exports bottomed in 2019 at 347 K $ US, then peaked in 2017, with an 11.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign whey supplies from Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 1 500 K $ US, reflecting a sudden gain of 332.7% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, dropping by 89.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(89.2%)	(18.2%)	332.7%	(27.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, Egypt, and India were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of whey exports in value terms from Sub-Saharan Africa. Japan accounted for 46.9% of exports, Egypt for 8.5%, and India for 6.0%, together representing 61.4% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports whey to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year advance, whey imports into Sub-Saharan Africa declined. Imports reached their maximum in 2019 at 39 756 t, then fell to 35 513 t in 2020, indicating a significant decline of 10.7% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 29.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 39.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.0%	39.1%	(10.7%)	8.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, Poland, and the United States remained the largest markets for whey imports in kind, together accounting for 54.6% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's volume of whey imports increased for the second consecutive year. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 40 894 K $ US, then rose to 57 290 K $ US in 2020, marking a modest gain of 7.2% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 38.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, falling by 1.0%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 30.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.0%)	30.7%	7.2%	11.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France, Poland, and the United States were the largest suppliers of whey to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. France accounted for 35.7% of imports, Poland for 13.1%, and the United States for 6.2%, together forming 55.0% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io