Cheese and curd market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the cheese and curd market volume grew from 2 168 K t to 2 427 K t. This expansion was supported by the launch of new production lines for curd cheeses under investment projects, which broadened domestic supply. The ongoing embargo on certain cheese varieties, initially imposed in 2014, limited imports and encouraged growth in local production, as well as increased sourcing from CIS partner countries.

Market volume stabilized at 2 417 K t in 2020 before rising to 2 485 K t in 2021. Tightened restrictions on imports of Belarusian cheese and curd favored domestic manufacturers. The introduction of mandatory digital labeling for cheese from June 2021 enhanced supply chain transparency. Concurrently, a decline in real household incomes began shifting consumer demand toward more affordable products, affecting the market's price structure.

By 2022-2023, market volume increased substantially to 2 906 K t and 3 086 K t, respectively. New anti-Russian sanctions and logistical constraints after 2022 reduced imports, accelerating substitution with domestic output. The full-scale rollout of mandatory labeling in retail networks from September 2022 strengthened authenticity controls. A 5-7% drop in dairy imports in 2023 due to sanctions and logistics further stimulated local production. However, in value terms, the market contracted from $269.5 billion in 2019 to $206.5 billion in 2023, partly due to changing consumer preferences toward more economical options amid lower incomes and rising cheese product inventories.

Production cheese and curd in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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 CIS has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 2 535 K t, showing a modest increase of 6.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 15.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cheese and curd production in the CIS was 12 334 M $ US, up 7.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 13.4%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 4.3%. The only decline during this period occurred in 2019, when output fell by 0.8%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

Cheese and curd exports from the CIS have expanded for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes hit 248.6 K t, a 6.8% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, exports surged by 36.3%, averaging 10.9% growth per year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 180.6 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 1.0%. In contrast, 2019 posted the biggest increase at 28.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine was the leading buyer of cheese and curd from the CIS, accounting for 2.6% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd exports from the CIS have grown for the third year running. In 2020, export value reached 1 209 M $ US, up 7.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 33.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Ukraine remained the top buyer of cheese and curd from the CIS, representing 2.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of cheese and curd into the CIS showed significant volatility in recent years. In 2018, imports hit a low of 63.8 K t, then surged to a peak of 284.6 K t in 2019—a 4.5-fold increase. In 2020, imports dropped to 130.2 K t, down 54.2% from 2019. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when imports jumped by 346.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cheese and curd imports into the CIS were widely distributed across markets. Argentina (3.4% of import volume), Serbia (3.3%), and Ukraine (1.7%) together accounted for just 8.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd imports into the CIS have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value amounted to 1 426 M $ US, a 6.5% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 29.8%, averaging 9.1% annual growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cheese and curd imports into the CIS were characterized by a broad market spread. Argentina (4.2% of import value), Serbia (2.8%), and Switzerland (2.2%) together made up only 9.2% of total imports.

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

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