Cheese and curd market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

The Brazilian cheese and curd market volume expanded steadily from 142.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 145.9 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by the ongoing premiumization trend, with rising per-capita consumption of fine cheeses, and a national economic crisis that shifted demand toward more affordable categories like requeijão. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered a 29% surge in household cheese consumption, offsetting the decline in food-service sales and sustaining market growth.

From 2021 onward, market growth accelerated, reaching 189.1 thousand tons in 2023. A key driver was the substantial expansion in production of major categories: mozzarella output grew by 30% since 2017, and requeijão exceeded 380 thousand tons. Rising demand for gourmet and premium cheeses from middle- and upper-class consumers further fueled the market. Additionally, export opportunities developed, particularly with China, the EU, and the US, supported by trade agreements that facilitated access for Brazilian cheeses. The implementation of the Artisanal Cheese Seal (Law 13.860/2019) established labeling and production standards, contributing to market formalization.

Production cheese and curd in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, Brazil produced 119 406 tonnes of cheese and curd, showing relative stability compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 1.9%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2020, at 0.3%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output of cheese and curd in Brazil was valued at 600.8 million US dollars, marking a strong rise of 10.8% from the prior year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 2.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 542.2 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 8.3%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

Exported volumes of cheese and curd from Brazil increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 4 608 tonnes, representing an 11.2% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 28.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 435 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 3.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 20.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Chile, Russia, and Argentina formed the key group of partners for Brazil's cheese and curd exports in kind. Chile accounted for 27.5% of exports, Russia for 19.4%, and Argentina for 13.7%, jointly representing 60.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported values of cheese and curd from Brazil increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 23.2 million US dollars, up by 22.8% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 29.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 17.0 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 4.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Russia, Chile, and the United States were the main destinations for Brazil's cheese and curd exports in value terms. Russia accounted for 25.6% of exports, Chile for 20.2%, and the United States for 12.0%, together making up 57.8% of total exports.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Brazil

Imports in kind, t

Brazil's cheese and curd imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports were recorded at 31 964 tonnes, which is 3.0% above the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 8.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 28 148 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 4.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 10.2%.

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

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Argentina and Uruguay consistently accounted for 90.9% of Brazil's total cheese and curd imports in kind, indicating a high degree of concentration alongside a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Brazil's cheese and curd import values increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, import volume amounted to 139.1 million US dollars, which is 9.0% greater than the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 5.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 120.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 8.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Argentina and Uruguay acted as the dominant destinations for Brazil's cheese and curd imports in value terms, jointly taking 82.8% of total flows and leaving the remaining share to other markets.

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

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