Cheese and curd market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine cheese and curd market contracted from 843 thousand tons in 2018 to 785 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was driven by the closure of nearly 1,000 dairy farms and the removal of over 100,000 cows in 2019, which severely constrained milk supply for cheese production. High inflation and the dollarization of input costs further pressured the production chain and reduced domestic consumption.

Market volume rebounded to 868 thousand tons in 2021, fueled by a 17.6% surge in dairy exports, particularly of semi-hard cheeses, and strong domestic sales growth for creamy cheeses, aged sardo, and mozzarella. Despite persistent inflation leading consumers to purchase smaller portions, exports continued to expand, rising 5.7% in 2022, and production grew to 955 thousand tons in 2023 as the market recovered sales volume through strategic pricing.

Throughout the period, the industry diversified its product range, with mozzarella gaining traction in non-traditional export markets like Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Consumer preferences shifted toward basic, economical brands and smaller package sizes to cope with inflation, while official price control programs for milk intermittently affected the dairy value chain. By 2024, cheese export volumes had reached 81.5 thousand tons, reflecting sustained external demand even as general dairy sales faced economic headwinds.

Production cheese and curd in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Argentina ranked as the 12th largest producer of cheese and curd from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Argentina's cheese and curd production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 841.3 thousand tons, marking a slight decrease of 2.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.0%. The highest output was in 2018 at 888.3 thousand tons, with the largest annual increase of 8.8% that year. In contrast, the biggest drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Argentina's cheese and curd production value fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 216 million US dollars, showing a modest decline of 5.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the production value decreased by 12.2%, averaging an annualized reduction of 4.2%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

Argentina's cross-border shipments of cheese and curd rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 57 429 tons, up by 14.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 29.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Russia, and Chile were the primary markets for Argentina's cheese and curd exports in volume terms. Brazil accounted for 35.8% of exports, Russia for 20.6%, and Chile for 18.3%, together making up 74.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Argentina's cheese and curd exports in value terms amounted to 219.5 million US dollars, reflecting a gain of 10.7% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports increased by 10.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 198.2 million US dollars, which saw a minor decline of 0.3% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Russia, and Chile remained the top buyers of Argentina's cheese and curd in value terms. Brazil represented 34.9% of exports, Russia 22.8%, and Chile 17.2%, collectively forming 74.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

Argentina's cheese and curd imports in volume terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 1 054 tons, which is 51.8% less than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 75.9%, averaging an annualized drop of 37.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay and Brazil were the key sources for Argentina's cheese and curd imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 87.2% of total import flows. Other partners contributed much less individually.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Argentina's cheese and curd imports in value terms fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 5.1 million US dollars, down by 51.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 73.7%, with an annualized reduction rate of 36.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay and Brazil continued to lead as the main markets for Argentina's cheese and curd imports in value terms, together making up 81.8% of total import flows. Other partners played a supplementary role.

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

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