Cheese and curd market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. cheese and curd market volume grew steadily from 16.3 million tons in 2018 to 16.7 million tons in 2020, supported by a consistent increase in domestic production.

Market expansion accelerated sharply to 17.5 million tons in 2021, driven by rising consumer demand for specialty, organic, and plant-based cheese options. This trend was reinforced by the entry of new artisanal segments and major companies like Kraft Heinz launching novel flavors. Growth continued in 2022, with the market reaching 17.9 million tons despite a 36.8% surge in milk prices, as strong consumption was fueled by health-conscious trends and the launch of plant-based cheese products through partnerships such as Kraft Heinz and NotCo.

By 2023, the market volume climbed to 18.1 million tons, supported by ongoing innovation in vegan cheese lines and sustained consumer preference for protein-rich and organic varieties. Into 2024, continued export growth and firm demand for sustainable and cruelty-free cheese products indicated a mature but evolving market landscape.

Production cheese and curd in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Cheese and curd production in the Americas has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 16,595 thousand tons, marking a 1.4% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Cheese and curd production in the Americas has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 94.2 billion US dollars, up 5.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 82.8 billion US dollars. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, with a drop of 20.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, cheese and curd exports from the Americas reached 120.8 thousand tons, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 1.0%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 18.7%, averaging an annualized rate of 5.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 123.3 thousand tons. The largest decline happened in 2019, with a 3.0% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 21.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of cheese and curd from the Americas included Russia, accounting for 10.5% of exports in kind, Asia not elsewhere specified at 1.8%, and Saudi Arabia at 1.1%. Together, these three markets represented just 13.4% of total exports in kind, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of cheese and curd from the Americas have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 686 million US dollars, a gradual increase of 5.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 4.5%, with an annualized rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 629 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. Russia accounted for 12.8% of exports, Asia not elsewhere specified for 1.9%, and Saudi Arabia for 1.0%. Combined, these three partners made up only 15.7% of total flows, while the remaining 84.3% was distributed among numerous smaller countries.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, cheese and curd imports into the Americas increased in 2020. Imports reached 219.1 thousand tons, up 8.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 54.8%, averaging an annualized decline of 23.3%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 201.9 thousand tons, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 55.2%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the partner structure for imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. New Zealand accounted for 7.1% of imports, the Netherlands for 6.1%, and Germany for 4.3%. Together, these three countries represented 17.5% of total flows, with many other nations making up the remaining 82.5%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd imports into the Americas have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1,919 million US dollars, a 3.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 8.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. New Zealand accounted for 6.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 6.3%, and Italy for 5.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 17.6% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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