Cheese and curd market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the cheese and curd market volume in Australia and New Zealand fluctuated between 1 037 thousand tons and 1 099 thousand tons, with the lowest point in 2020. In value terms, the market declined from $4 977 million in 2018 to $4 812 million in 2021, despite a modest recovery in 2021.

In 2022, the market expanded sharply to 1 194 thousand tons and $6 218 million. This growth was driven by increased demand for sustainably produced and clean-label dairy products, as well as higher disposable incomes in the region which encouraged greater cheese consumption. Innovation in packaging and the emergence of plant-based cheese alternatives also contributed to market dynamism.

By 2023, market volume retreated to 1 106 thousand tons and value to $5 823 million, returning closer to 2021 levels.

Production cheese and curd in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

World map of production of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, cheese and curd production in Australia and New Zealand rebounded in 2021. Output reached 1 492 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 3.5% increase from the previous year. Production had hit its lowest point in 2020 at 1 442 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual drop of 3.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two consecutive years of contraction, the value of cheese and curd production in Australia and New Zealand rose in 2021. The output was valued at 6 371 million US dollars, representing a 6.7% increase compared to 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 5 971 million US dollars, while the most significant decline of 5.0% took place in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Australia and New Zealand exported 513.7 thousand tonnes of cheese and curd, a 9.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 5.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 469.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for cheese and curd exports from Australia and New Zealand were Japan, China, and South Korea. Japan accounted for 27.6% of exports by volume, China for 18.9%, and South Korea for 6.5%. Together, these three markets represented 52.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year downturn, cheese and curd exports from Australia and New Zealand increased in 2021. Export value reached 2 193 million US dollars, showing a robust 12.7% rise compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 6.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 945 million US dollars, while the largest decline of 3.3% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the leading markets for cheese and curd exports from Australia and New Zealand in value terms were Japan, China, and South Korea. Japan represented 27.0% of export value, China 18.6%, and South Korea 6.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 51.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports cheese and curd to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Australia and New Zealand imported 93.9 thousand tonnes of cheese and curd, a 34.1% year-on-year increase. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 38.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 93.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 50.6%. The most significant decline of 31.4% occurred in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, cheese and curd imports to Australia and New Zealand were widely distributed across partner countries. The United States accounted for 25.5% of imports by volume, Italy for 5.1%, and Denmark for 3.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 34.2% of total import flows, indicating a diverse sourcing pattern.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd imports to Australia and New Zealand increased for the second consecutive year in 2021. Import value reached 634 million US dollars, showing a measured 7.4% rise from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 6.9%, equating to an average annual rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 576 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, cheese and curd imports to Australia and New Zealand came from a broad range of markets. The United States accounted for 19.7% of import value, Italy for 9.0%, and Denmark for 5.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 34.6% of total import value, with many smaller destinations making up the remaining 65.4%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021