Cheese and curd market in Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Caribbean cheese and curd market volume showed significant fluctuations, peaking at 119 132 tons in 2019 before declining to 104 804 tons in 2023. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, reaching its highest point at $1.08 billion in 2019 and then settling at $913.6 million by 2023.

Domestic production played a decreasing role, falling from 63 020 tons in 2019 to 33 484 tons in 2023. This drop was offset by rising imports, which grew from 52 876 tons to 72 732 tons over the same period, ensuring overall market supply remained above 100 000 tons annually.

Production cheese and curd in Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Cheese and curd production in the Caribbean declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 63,020 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 53,284 tonnes, marking a 15.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 19.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production surged by 33.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, cheese and curd production in the Caribbean declined in value terms. In 2019, output peaked at 809.7 million US dollars, but in 2020 it dropped to 620.9 million US dollars, representing a 23.3% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 15.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The most significant increase was recorded in 2019, when value rose by 45.4%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Export volumes of cheese and curd from the Caribbean reached their lowest point in 2020 at 1,007 tonnes, which was a 36.7% reduction from the previous year. In contrast, volumes peaked in 2018 at 1,770 tonnes, with the top-to-bottom ratio showing a 1.8-fold difference between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when exports grew by 75.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of cheese and curd from the Caribbean in volume terms were the United States, Guyana, and Canada. The United States accounted for 61.4% of exports, Guyana for 2.6%, and Canada for 1.4%. Together, these three countries comprised 65.4% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd shipments from the Caribbean to abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 10.1 million US dollars, corresponding to a modest decline of 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.7%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 1.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 11.4 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring that year at 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Guyana, and Canada were the main destinations for cheese and curd exports from the Caribbean in value terms. The United States absorbed 56.5% of exports, Guyana 4.1%, and Canada 1.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 62.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, cheese and curd deliveries to the Caribbean declined. In 2019, imports reached their highest level at 57,702 tonnes, but by 2020 they had fallen to 52,080 tonnes, showing a moderate decline of 9.7% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, when imports grew by 9.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the United States, New Zealand, and the Netherlands were the biggest contributors to cheese and curd imports in volume terms for the Caribbean. The United States accounted for 37.4% of imports, New Zealand for 21.2%, and the Netherlands for 13.3%. Jointly, these three countries made up 71.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, the volume of cheese and curd imports to the Caribbean declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 286.3 million US dollars, but in 2020 they dropped to 257.0 million US dollars, reflecting a robust decline of 10.2% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when imports grew by 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—the United States, New Zealand, and the Netherlands—together accounted for 72.9% of total cheese and curd imports to the Caribbean in value terms.

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

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