Mauritania Dairy Market Overview

Mauritania, with its expansive desert landscape, relies heavily on pastoralism, which includes the dairy industry as an important economic sector. Here is an in-depth analysis of Mauritania's dairy market:

Dairy Cattle Population

The number of dairy cattle in Mauritania is composed primarily of native breeds adapted to the arid environment. As of the latest data available, there are approximately 500,000 dairy cattle in the country. These cattle are primarily managed by small-scale pastoral communities.

Milk Production

The annual milk production in Mauritania is estimated to be around 300,000 metric tons. This production is largely from cattle and supplemented by goats and camels, given the unique pastoral nomadic traditions of the region.

Milk Processing

Milk processing in Mauritania remains underdeveloped, with approximately 100,000 metric tons processed annually. However, there is a growing interest in expanding this sector through investments and technology transfer to increase value addition within the local dairy industry.

Cheese and Milk Powder Production

Cheese production is minimal, reflecting traditional consumption patterns which favor fresh milk and fermented products. An estimated 5,000 metric tons of cheese are produced annually. Milk powder and whey production is limited, with combined volumes around 10,000 metric tons, primarily for domestic consumption.

Key Dairy Enterprises

• SMFP (Société de Management et Financement des Projets) - A leading dairy processing company involved in milk collection and processing.
• Laiterie de Nouakchott - A notable dairy plant focusing on milk and dairy products.

Major Dairy Farms

• El Mauritania Farms - Known for integrating modern farming techniques with traditional livestock rearing.
• Adrar Dairy Farm - Focuses on enhancing dairy cattle breeds to improve milk yield.

Export and Import of Dairy Products

Mauritania exports approximately 20,000 metric tons of dairy products annually, mainly targeting neighboring countries. The import volume rests at about 50,000 metric tons, primarily from Europe and Latin America, indicating a dependency on foreign dairy products to meet local demand.

Dairy Market Events

Recent developments in the Mauritanian dairy sector include international partnerships aimed at improving dairy infrastructure and knowledge transfer projects with countries like Morocco. A notable event is the "Milk and Dairy Products Festival," which promotes local dairy products and raises awareness about the importance of the dairy industry within the region.

Modified: 2025/05/09

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