Cheese and curd market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Africa experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market volume dropped sharply from 2 380 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 2 039 thousand metric tons in 2019, then steadily recovered to reach a peak of 2 451 thousand metric tons in 2022 before declining to 2 306 thousand metric tons in 2023.

The recovery and growth from 2020 onward were primarily fueled by product diversification and changing consumer tastes. In 2021, the emergence of plant-based cheese varieties and the expansion of local production of specialty goat’s and sheep’s milk cheeses in South Africa introduced new market segments and increased overall consumption. This trend continued in 2022, with growing consumer interest in artisan, premium, and lactose-free alternatives further driving market expansion.

Despite facing headwinds such as supply chain challenges and economic inflation in 2022, the market maintained its upward trajectory. The subsequent volume decrease in 2023 represented a market adjustment, while factors like rising disposable incomes and the shift to online shopping indicated evolving consumer access and preferences in the later period.

Production cheese and curd in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Africa produced 1 968 thousand tonnes of cheese and curd, which was the lowest level during the 2017-2020 period. Production then increased by 4.1% in 2020 to reach 2 049 thousand tonnes. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 279 thousand tonnes, but there was a significant decline of 13.7% in 2019. Overall, production decreased by 7.9% between 2017 and 2020, representing an average annual decline of 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of cheese and curd production in Africa was 9 916 million US dollars, which was the lowest point in the 2017-2020 period. This was followed by an 8.4% increase in 2020, bringing the total to 10 754 million US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 17.4%. Over the entire four-year period, production value decreased by 10.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's cheese and curd exports have been declining for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports amounted to 55.3 thousand tonnes, representing a 22.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 24.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, African cheese and curd exports reached numerous markets worldwide. The three largest destinations—Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Lebanon—collectively accounted for just 36.6% of total export volume, indicating a highly diversified export structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

For the third year in a row, Africa's cheese and curd exports declined in value terms. In 2020, exports totaled 290.5 million US dollars, marking a substantial decrease of 19.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 26.9%, with an average annual decline of 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top three buyers of African cheese and curd in value terms were Saudi Arabia (17.0%), Jordan (11.6%), and Lebanon (10.7%). Together, these markets represented 39.4% of total export value, while the remaining 60.6% was distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa's cheese and curd imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 136.3 thousand tonnes—a moderate decrease of 4.4% year-over-year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 174.9 thousand tonnes, which represented a 36.3% increase from the previous year. However, imports then fell by 18.5% in 2019. Overall, imports increased by 6.2% between 2017 and 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Africa's cheese and curd imports in volume terms came from a wide range of suppliers. The Netherlands (15.2%), Ireland (13.5%), and Portugal (9.7%) were the top three sources, but together they accounted for only 38.3% of total imports, with the remaining 61.7% coming from numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Africa's cheese and curd imports were valued at 659.6 million US dollars, showing a 3.2% increase from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 662.6 million US dollars, following a 12.3% increase that year. Imports then declined by 3.5% in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 11.8%, with an average annual increase of 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's cheese and curd imports in value terms were sourced from a diverse array of markets. The Netherlands (17.8%), Ireland (13.0%), and France (10.3%) were the leading suppliers, but together they represented just 41.1% of total import value, highlighting the broad distribution across many trading partners.

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

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