Cheese and curd market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Bangladesh expanded from 3.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 3.6 thousand tons in 2023. Initial growth was aided by the emergence of new product segments, such as cheese made from jackfruit pulp, developed by local agricultural researchers, which broadened the product range and stimulated consumer interest.

After stabilizing in 2020, market volume jumped by 11.5% in 2021 to reach 3.6 thousand tons. However, in 2022, the market experienced a slight contraction as consumers became more health-conscious and began limiting cheese intake due to weight-gain concerns.

The market recovered in 2023, rising to 3.6 thousand tons. By 2024, the sector faced rising input costs for raw materials and packaging, driven by international inflation and Middle East conflicts, while innovation with jackfruit-based products continued.

Production cheese and curd in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Bangladesh's cheese and curd production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 456 tonnes, showing a modest 3.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Bangladesh's cheese and curd exports fell sharply to 0.0 tonnes, representing a 93.0% year-on-year decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland was the primary buyer of cheese and curd from Bangladesh, accounting for 86.3% of total exports by volume. The remaining share was distributed among a diverse group of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bangladesh's cheese and curd export value in 2020 was recorded at 0.2 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 90.2% drop compared to the previous year.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Ireland purchased 88.5% of the total export value of cheese and curd from Bangladesh. The rest was spread across various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Bangladesh's cheese and curd imports declined. In 2020, imports reached 737.9 tonnes, a gradual decrease of 9.4% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 15.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 814.5 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 25.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, India, and the United Arab Emirates were consistently the main sources of cheese and curd imports by volume for Bangladesh. Australia accounted for 37.0% of imports, India for 22.4%, and the UAE for 11.0%. Together, these three countries made up 70.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Bangladesh's cheese and curd import value decreased. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 3 189 thousand US dollars, a 4.1% decline from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 26.5%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 8.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 3 326 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring in 2019 at 25.3%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Australia, India, and the United Arab Emirates emerged as the key markets for Bangladesh's cheese and curd imports by value. Australia contributed 30.5% of the import value, India 25.4%, and the UAE 12.5%. Collectively, these three countries represented 68.4% of total import flows.

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

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