Cheese and curd market in Azerbaijan

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Azerbaijan expanded from 127 thousand tons in 2018 to 149.7 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was driven by consistent consumer demand, which led to price increases, and quality improvements through certification. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain disruptions but also strengthened consumer preference for natural products, supporting consumption. The introduction of new product segments such as fruit curd and enhanced state quality standards further stimulated the market in 2021.

After peaking in 2021, the market volume declined to 145.5 thousand tons in 2022 and 138.4 thousand tons in 2023. Despite cooperation between the public and private sectors to raise quality standards and growing consumer interest in local products, the market contracted. Imports remained stable while exports decreased.

Over the entire 2018–2023 period, the cheese and curd market in Azerbaijan grew by 11.4 thousand tons, showing an overall positive trend despite the downturns in the last two years.

Production cheese and curd in Azerbaijan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

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

Azerbaijan's cheese and curd production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 141 216 tons of cheese and curd, marking a 10.0% increase compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production grew by 17.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Azerbaijan's cheese and curd production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 820.3 million US dollars, representing a 13.4% gain compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production rose by 54.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Azerbaijan

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.3 times. In 2021, Azerbaijan's cheese and curd export volume reached 1 093 tons, which is 46.4% lower than in 2020. The maximum value was 2 037 tons in 2020, and the largest increase was 148.9% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the market structure was highly concentrated, with Russia accounting for 99.6% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018, and the maximum in 2020, with a 4.3-fold variation between them. In 2021, Azerbaijan exported 6 347 thousand US dollars worth of cheese and curd, marking a 44.7% decline compared to 2020. The maximum value was 11 481 thousand US dollars in 2020, and the largest increase was 213.2% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Russia dominated the country structure of exports in value terms, with a share of 99.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021

Imports cheese and curd to Azerbaijan

Imports in kind, t

Cheese and curd imports into Azerbaijan have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Azerbaijan imported 9 560 tons of cheese and curd, indicating a 2.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 27.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the partner landscape for imports in kind was wide. Russia (17.9% of imports in kind), Lithuania (15.8%), and Germany (12.2%) together formed only 45.8% of total flows, while a substantial 54.2% came from many other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Azerbaijan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of cheese and curd imports into Azerbaijan has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totalled 33 179 thousand US dollars, up by 3.9% from the year before. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 36.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the partner structure for imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Lithuania (19.5% of imports in value terms), Germany (13.9%), and Russia (13.9%) jointly represented 47.3% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 52.7%.

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

World map of product's imports to Azerbaijan in value, 2018-2021