Cheese and curd market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the cheese and curd market in Chile exhibited notable shifts in volume. After a decline in 2019, production recovered in 2020, aided by increased output of artisan cheeses and regulatory changes permitting the use of raw milk for fine, differentiated products. The industry's foundation, laid in 2018 with product diversification and improved packaging, supported this rebound.

Market volume continued to expand, reaching 286.4 thousand tonnes in 2023. Growth in 2021 was driven by collaboration between producers and research institutions to enhance quality and focus on value-added differentiation. However, in 2022, competition from lower-priced imported cheeses, particularly Gouda from the European Union, alongside shifting consumer preferences toward creamier varieties, temporarily moderated domestic production. Despite rising import volumes and production costs, national output increased in 2023, demonstrating the sector's resilience.

Production cheese and curd in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

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

Chile's cheese and curd production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 218.7 thousand tons, marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year. Production hit its lowest point in 2019 at 202.5 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year of 6.4%. The most significant growth occurred in 2020, with a 6.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Cheese and curd production in Chile has continued to expand for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 972.7 million US dollars, showing a moderate 6.4% increase over the past year. From 2018 to 2021, production grew by 2.7%, averaging 0.9% annually. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 880.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 7.0%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Chile

Exports in kind, t

Chile's cheese and curd exports have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country exported 7 502 tons, down 4.7% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports overall increased by 2.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 9 161 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 24.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, with a 14.1% decline.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico, Russia, and South Korea were the main destinations for Chile's cheese and curd exports by volume. Mexico accounted for 47.1% of exports, Russia for 30.7%, and South Korea for 9.3%, together making up 87.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd exports from Chile have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, export value totaled 33.4 million US dollars, showing only a slight change from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 3.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 39.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 24.1%. The most significant decrease occurred in 2020, with a 16.0% drop.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Mexico, Russia, and South Korea led Chile's cheese and curd exports by value. Mexico represented 41.8% of exports, Russia 37.6%, and South Korea 8.3%, together accounting for 87.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Chile

Imports in kind, t

Cheese and curd imports into Chile have risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 75 247 tons, reflecting a substantial 32.6% increase year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 44.2%, averaging 13.0% annually. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 44 269 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Argentina, and Germany were the top suppliers of cheese and curd to Chile by volume. The United States and Argentina each accounted for 20.7% of imports, while Germany made up 16.2%, together forming 57.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign cheese and curd supplies to Chile have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 299.9 million US dollars, up 45.0% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 46%, with an average annual rate of 13.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 176.0 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 14.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the United States, Argentina, and Germany were the leading sources of cheese and curd imports to Chile by value. The United States accounted for 22.5% of imports, Argentina for 21.1%, and Germany for 14.1%, together representing 57.6% of total import flows.

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

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