Cheese and curd market in Afghanistan

Earlier Report Observations

The Afghan cheese and curd market experienced significant volume fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. After a contraction to 44 004 t in 2019, the market surged by over 30% to 57 704 t in 2020, driven by a reported increase in domestic demand for traditional local products like kashk and cheese. This rise in consumption led to a substantial increase in imports, which reached nearly 12 000 t that year.

The market corrected to 50 449 t in 2021, even as new companies entered the sector and investments were made in both traditional and modern dairy processing. By 2022, revised government support policies aimed at strengthening domestic production and reducing import dependency took effect, helping to lift domestic output to 44 507 t and contributing to market stabilization around 51 500 t.

In 2023, the market volume remained steady at 51 418 t, supported by continued government backing for local producers and a noted shift in consumer preferences toward traditional dairy items. For 2024, factors such as a reported 38% rise in overall national imports and currency exchange rate fluctuations were highlighted as influencing trade and price dynamics for cheese and curd.

Production cheese and curd in Afghanistan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

World map of production of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

In 2019, Afghanistan produced 41,550 tons of cheese and curd, which was the lowest output during this period. Production then increased by 10.0% in 2020 to reach 45,709 tons. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 45,896 tons. The most significant year-over-year decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 9.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cheese and curd from Afghanistan

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2019, creating a 6.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cheese and curd exports from Afghanistan amounted to just 1 ton, representing a substantial 71.5% decrease compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Germany served as the primary markets for Afghanistan's cheese and curd exports, together accounting for 80.1% of total export volumes. Other destinations held comparatively smaller shares during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2019, showing a 9.5-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, cheese and curd shipments from Afghanistan were valued at 5,000 US dollars, marking a significant 64.9% decline compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada accounted for 68.7% of Afghanistan's cheese and curd export value, while Maldives contributed 17.5%. Together, these two markets represented 86.1% of total export value, with other partners making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020

Imports cheese and curd to Afghanistan

Imports in kind, t

Foreign cheese and curd supplies to Afghanistan increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 11,997 tons that year, reflecting a substantial 388.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 753.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 104.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran dominated Afghanistan's cheese and curd imports, accounting for 86.3% of total import volumes. Other countries collectively represented the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Afghanistan in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatile behavior during these years. Import values reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1,945,000 US dollars, then peaked in 2020 at 15,307,000 US dollars, creating a 7.9-fold difference. The 2020 figure represented a sharp 441.2% increase compared to 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when import values fell by 19.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Iran was the dominant source of Afghanistan's cheese and curd imports in value terms, accounting for 76.2% of total import value. Other destinations held relatively small shares during this period.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Afghanistan in value, 2017-2020