Cheese and curd market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the cheese and curd market volume in Algeria fluctuated significantly, primarily influenced by changes in imports driven by international prices and government policies. In 2018, lower global prices and an improving Algerian economy boosted cheese imports, lifting the market to 31,088 t. The following year, heightened government controls on imports and elevated world prices contributed to a reduction in cheese imports, decreasing the market volume to 29,326 t. A sharp rise to 35,080 t in 2020 coincided with the initial reopening of livestock imports to support domestic dairy herds, a move aimed at bolstering local milk supply for cheese production.

After the 2020 peak, the market volume contracted steadily, falling to 21,337 t by 2023. This decline occurred alongside continued government import controls and a push for import substitution through state programs to modernize dairy farming and processing. Investments in production equipment and the launch of major industrial cheese projects aimed to enhance local capacity and quality, while processed cheese, representing 80% of local consumption, maintained its dominant market share.

Throughout the period, the artisanal cheese segment expanded, valorizing traditional Algerian methods and regional terroirs. Events like the first international cheese festival in Tizi-Ouzou highlighted efforts to promote local varieties. Despite stable domestic production volumes around 5,200–5,400 t annually, the overall market size remained volatile, largely dictated by import volumes which were subject to regulatory shifts and international price movements for dairy commodities.

Production cheese and curd in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Algeria's cheese and curd production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 5,235 tons, marking a slight decrease of 2.5% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Cheese and curd production in Algeria continued its downward trend for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 22,125 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant drop of 12.1% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 29.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Algeria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Algeria

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a dramatic 51-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Algeria exported 106 tons of cheese and curd, showing a sharp reduction of 80.8% compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 553 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 2,099.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands dominated Algeria's cheese and curd exports in volume, accounting for 77.5% of total shipments. The remaining exports were spread across a variety of other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market demonstrated volatility throughout the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 44-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Algeria's cheese and curd exports amounted to 0.4 million US dollars, contracting by 82.7% compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 2.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 1,774.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, the Netherlands remained the primary destination for Algeria's cheese and curd exports in value terms, holding a 79.8% share of total flows. The rest of the exports were distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Algeria

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Algeria's cheese and curd imports rebounded. In 2020, import volume reached 29,950 tons, representing a 22.2% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 24,510 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand consistently led Algeria's cheese and curd imports in volume. Ireland accounted for 44.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 27.6%, and New Zealand for 9.7%. Together, these three countries made up 81.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Algeria's cheese and curd imports saw an upturn. In 2020, imports totaled 117.7 million US dollars, equivalent to a sharp rise of 29.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 91.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.8%.

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

In 2017–2020, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand were the largest suppliers of cheese and curd to Algeria in value terms. Ireland held a 41.5% share of imports, the Netherlands 31.9%, and New Zealand 9.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 82.7% of total import value.

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

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