Cheese and curd market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Colombian cheese and curd market expanded from 127.6 thousand tons to 132.5 thousand tons. This growth was supported by rising per capita consumption and a gradual shift in consumer preferences toward a wider variety, including semi-hard and hard cheeses, while traditional fresh cheeses remained dominant. Leading producers Colanta and Alpina maintained their strong market positions throughout this period.

Market dynamics shifted in 2021 when a national strike disrupted agricultural supply chains, affecting milk production and destabilizing cheese output and prices. The following year, global factors including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and adverse weather conditions drove input costs higher, contributing to a steep increase of over 31% in cheese prices. Despite these supply-side pressures, total market volume rose sharply to 141.6 thousand tons in 2022, as production recovered and imports grew.

From 2023 onward, rising import volumes under tariff-rate quotas from the United States and the European Union intensified competition for domestic cheese producers. Concurrently, wholesale prices for key regional varieties like costeño cheese continued their upward trend. Initiatives such as the Cheese Salon organized by Grupo Éxito aimed to stimulate local demand, as the market adjusted to a more open trade environment.

Production cheese and curd in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Colombia's cheese and curd production volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Colombia produced 128 692 tonnes of cheese and curd, marking a moderate gain of 3.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Colombia's cheese and curd production value has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output of cheese and curd was valued at 846 million US dollars in Colombia, down by 10.3% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 38.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.9%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of cheese and curd from Colombia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 931 tonnes, showing a sharp gain of 44.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 200.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 44.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in kind was centered on the United States, whose share amounted to 79.2% of total flows, while other markets formed a less significant perimeter.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cheese and curd exports from Colombia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 6 124 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp gain of 25.4% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 72.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was dominated by the United States, which accounted for 74.6% of total flows, while other destinations were relatively small.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Colombia's volume of cheese and curd imports declined. In 2020, Colombia imported 4 721 tonnes of cheese and curd, reflecting a drop of 1.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 36.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.0%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 791 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 24.9%.

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

In 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the main source for cheese and curd imports to Colombia, accounting for 76.0% of total imports in kind, whereas the remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cheese and curd import values in Colombia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Colombia imported a total of 30 130 thousand US dollars of cheese and curd, up by 4.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 37.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.1%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the leading supplier of cheese and curd to Colombia, with 76.6% of total imports in value terms, while the rest was spread across many other countries.

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

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