Cheese and curd market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Central Asia expanded significantly from 2018 to 2023, with market volume growing from 550.9 thousand tonnes to 833.7 thousand tonnes. The most pronounced increase occurred in 2022, when the market jumped by over 180 thousand tonnes to reach 796.8 thousand tonnes, followed by further growth to 833.7 thousand tonnes in 2023.

In value terms, the market showed more volatility, peaking at USD 3.063 billion in 2022 after a steady rise from USD 1.983 billion in 2018. The divergence between physical volume growth and value fluctuations suggests changing price levels or currency effects during the period.

Production within the region rose consistently, reaching 790.1 thousand tonnes in 2023, while imports also increased, contributing to the overall market expansion.

Production cheese and curd in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Central Asia produced 562.9 thousand tons of cheese and curd, representing a gradual increase of 6.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.2%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, at 8.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, cheese and curd production in Central Asia rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 935 million US dollars, marking a year-on-year gain of 9.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 4.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of decline of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 774 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 7.3% also occurring that year.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Central Asia's foreign cheese and curd exports amounted to 5 752 tons, reflecting a moderate decline of 3.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 31.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 238 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 5 983 tons, with the largest increase of 41.2% also occurring in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Mongolia played the leading roles in Central Asia's cheese and curd exports in kind, jointly accounting for 65.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Central Asia exported 19.8 million US dollars worth of cheese and curd, which is 1.4% less than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 15.3 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 15.8% also in that year. The highest value was in 2019 at 20.0 million US dollars, where the largest increase of 31.1% occurred.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Mongolia were the leading destinations for Central Asia's cheese and curd exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 73.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

Imported cheese and curd volumes in Central Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Central Asia imported a total of 31 200 tons of cheese and curd, showing an increase of 27.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 39.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 24 367 tons, with the largest decline of 6.8% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine were the largest suppliers of cheese and curd to Central Asia in kind, accounting for 49.5%, 15.2%, and 10.7% of imports, respectively. Together, they formed 75.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd import volumes in Central Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Central Asia imported 114.5 million US dollars worth of cheese and curd, reflecting a solid gain of 18.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 20.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 83.4 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 12.5% also in that year.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine were the main sources of cheese and curd imports to Central Asia in value terms, accounting for 45.4%, 18.4%, and 14.9% of imports, respectively. Together, they absorbed 78.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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