Milk consumption at the farm gate in South Africa has shown fluctuations over the last decade, peaking at 3.16 million metric tons in 2015 and reaching its lowest point in 2019 at 2.65 million metric tons. Notably, 2023 recorded a consumption of 2.78 million metric tons, a slight increase from the previous year (+0.99%). The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the last five years leading up to 2023 was -2.21%, indicating a general decline. Forecasts suggest a slow recovery with a projected CAGR of 0.73% from 2024 to 2028, showing moderate growth reaching 2.91 million metric tons by 2028.
Future trends to watch for:
- Emerging consumption patterns and local farming policies.
- Technological advancements in dairy farming and processing.
- Impact of climate change and environmental regulations on production.
