Cheese and curd market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian cheese and curd market volume expanded from 1 208 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 246 thousand tonnes by 2023. This growth was initially supported by rising imports, which increased supply from key sources like the United States, Italy, and France. The market volume notably rose to 1 238 thousand tonnes in 2020, coinciding with this inflow of foreign cheese.

In the following years, a decline in Canadian cheese exports between 2020 and 2022 meant more product was retained for domestic consumption, helping to sustain market size. Concurrently, dairy processors introduced product innovations such as shredded cheese with bacon and vitamin-enriched varieties to re-engage consumers, whose preferences were shifting towards novel and plant-based dairy alternatives.

By 2023 and into 2024, sustained market volume was underpinned by strong consumer demand, amplified by the convenience of online shopping. Government measures, including incentive days granted to dairy producers in the P5 region, supported production. These factors, alongside a continued consumer interest reflected in rising cheese prices, contributed to the sector's performance.

Production cheese and curd in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada ranked seventh globally in cheese and curd production.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Canada produced 1 208.5 thousand tonnes of cheese and curd, marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1.8%, while 2019 saw no change.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Canada's cheese and curd production value rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 6 786 million US dollars, reflecting a 5.2% improvement compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 22.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.0%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Canada

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, cheese and curd exports from Canada reached 10 956 tonnes, showing a moderate 4.8% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 16.2%, with an average annual decline of 5.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 968 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 23.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase at 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (52.7% of exports in volume), Saudi Arabia (12.9%), and the Bahamas (4.3%) were the main destinations for Canada's cheese and curd exports, collectively accounting for 69.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cheese and curd exports from Canada were valued at 61.5 million US dollars, representing a 1.7% decline from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 52.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.3%. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 62.6 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 20.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States (67.0% of exports in value), Saudi Arabia (8.5%), and the Bahamas (3.3%) formed the key group of partners for Canada's cheese and curd exports, jointly representing 78.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Canada

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 4.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cheese and curd imports into Canada amounted to 40 575 tonnes, a 12.5% increase year-over-year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 31 498 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 78.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 14.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (22.2% of imports in volume), Italy (17.3%), and France (15.2%) led the structure of cheese and curd imports into Canada, together representing 54.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd import values into Canada increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 340.8 million US dollars, equivalent to a 9.5% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values grew by 34.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.4%.

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

In 2017-2020, the leading sources for cheese and curd imports into Canada in value terms were Italy (23.8%), the United States (19.8%), and France (17.7%), which jointly accounted for 61.3% of total flows.

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

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