Middle East: Skim Milk Market 2025

Skim Milk Market Size in the Middle East

After two years of growth, the Middle Eastern skim milk market decreased by -3% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption recorded a perceptible reduction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Skim Milk Production in the Middle East

In value terms, skim milk production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 44%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Turkey (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons), with a combined 95% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +7.2%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

Skim Milk Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2021, skim milk exports in the Middle East soared to X tons, jumping by 49% on 2020 figures. Overall, exports posted a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 101% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, skim milk exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 136% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons) represented roughly 97% of total exports in 2021.

Saudi Arabia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the skim milk exports, with a CAGR of +19.7% from 2012 to 2021. While the share of Saudi Arabia (+9.9 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) also remains the largest skim milk supplier in the Middle East.

In Saudi Arabia, skim milk exports increased at an average annual rate of +19.2% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, declining by -9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the export price increased by 20%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for Saudi Arabia.

From 2012 to 2021, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Saudi Arabia amounted to -0.4% per year.

Skim Milk Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, approx. X tons of skim milk were imported in the Middle East; growing by 57% against 2020 figures. In general, imports saw a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 90% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, skim milk imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 59% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the key importer of skim milk, generating 51% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Kuwait (X tons), Bahrain (X tons), Oman (X tons) and Iraq (X tons), together generating a 42% share of total imports. Jordan (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the skim milk imports, with a CAGR of +54.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Oman (+27.2%), Kuwait (+26.1%), Iraq (+12.7%), Bahrain (+7.2%) and Jordan (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+48 p.p.), Kuwait (+11 p.p.) and Oman (+5.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Jordan (-5.4 p.p.) and Bahrain (-7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Kuwait ($X) and Bahrain ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 75% share of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +44.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -9.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the import price increased by 17%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Oman ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iraq (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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