Lebanon's Dairy Market Overview

Lebanon's dairy industry is a significant contributor to its agricultural sector. Despite challenges like economic instability and regional disruptions, the country is keen on boosting its imports, especially from Ukraine.

Livestock and Milk Production

Lebanon hosts approximately 70,000 dairy cattle, producing around 400 million liters of milk annually. This production mainly serves domestic consumption, as the country's processing capacity is limited, processing about 250 million liters per year.

Dairy Processing and Cheese Production

The country is known for its traditional cheese varieties such as Halloumi and Akkawi, with an estimated annual production of about 10,000 tons.

Milk Powder and Whey Production

Lebanon's production of milk powder and whey is minimal, relying heavily on imports to satisfy demand in these segments.

Key Dairy Enterprises

• Liban Lait
• Taanayel Les Fermes
• Kouroum Dairy
• Haddad Dairy

Dairy Farms

• Beirut Dairy Farm
• Mount Lebanon Livestock Farm
• Bekaa Valley Farms

Import and Export of Dairy Products

Lebanon imports a significant volume of dairy products, particularly milk powder and processed cheese, totaling about 50,000 tons annually. It exports a limited amount of traditional cheese products, approximately 2,000 tons per year, mainly to neighboring Middle Eastern countries.

Recent Events in the Dairy Market

Lebanon is increasingly interested in establishing strong trade relations with Ukraine, especially in the dairy sector, to diversify its sources amid economic challenges and regional supply chain disruptions. There has been a notable increase in milk powder shipments to Lebanon.