Executive Summary

Chinese dairy import figures were recently updated with values spanning through Dec ’21. Highlights include:

• Chinese dairy imports finished below previous year levels for the first time in the past 28 months throughout Dec ’21, declining by 1.9%.
• The market share of Chinese dairy imports originating from within New Zealand increased most significantly from the previous year throughout Dec ’21, while the market share of Chinese dairy imports originating from within the U.S. declined slightly from previous year levels.
• Growth in Chinese dairy import volumes heading into the final month of 2021 have been led by whole milk powder and whey.

Chinese Customs Data

Dec ’21 Total Chinese Dairy Imports Declined Seasonally From the Previous Month

Dec ’21 Chinese Dairy Import Volumes Declined 23.4% MOM While Finishing 1.9% Lower YOY

Dec ’21 Total Chinese Dairy Imports Remained at the Third Highest Seasonal Level on Record

The Dec ’21 YOY Decline in Chinese Dairy Imports was the First in the Past 28 Months

New Zealand & the EU-27+UK Accounted for 71% of Total Dec ’21 Chinese Dairy Imports

The Dec ’21 NZ Share of Total Chinese Dairy Imports Increased Most Significantly YOY

Chinese Dairy Imports From New Zealand up the Most Over the Past 12 Months

Chinese Dairy Import Volumes by Product (Lagged by One Month)

Supplemental Chinese dairy import breakouts by product are made available by the European Commission, with data lagging the Chinese customs data by one month. Charts highlighting the Chinese import volumes by product through Nov ’21 are shown below.

Whole Milk Powder has Accounted for Over One Third of All Jan-Nov Chinese Dairy Imports

Jan-Nov YOY Increases in Chinese Dairy Imports led by Whole Milk Powder and Whey

Prior Month Chinese WMP Import Volumes up 101.9% MOM and 39.6% YOY

Prior Month Chinese WMP Imports Reached the Second Highest Seasonal Level on Record

Prior Month Chinese SMP Import Volumes Down 1.9% MOM but up 5.4% YOY

Prior Month Chinese SMP Imports Reached a Record High Seasonal Level