Cheese and curd market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

The Danish cheese and curd market volume showed moderate fluctuations between 2018 and 2021. It grew from 621.3 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 637.3 thousand tonnes in 2020, before declining to 611.3 thousand tonnes in 2021. Production followed a similar trajectory, increasing from 904 thousand tonnes to 935.4 thousand tonnes over 2018-2020, then dipping to 909 thousand tonnes in 2021.

A significant shift began in 2023, when the market volume recovered to 648.5 thousand tonnes. This growth was primarily fueled by an explosive, viral increase in demand for cottage cheese (hytteost), driven by its high protein content, low carbohydrates, and popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. The sole domestic producer of cottage cheese from Danish milk, Mammen Mejeri, reported more than a doubling of sales, leading it to expand production, hire and train additional staff, and launch new flavor varieties, which contributed to a notable rise in overall cheese and curd production to 993.4 thousand tonnes.

Although full market volume data is not available for 2024 and 2025, the trend established in 2023 continued strongly. Cottage cheese solidified its position as a major viral food trend in Denmark, with sales doubling in 2024 and demand indices remaining high in 2025. Mammen Mejeri and other producers kept introducing new product variants to meet sustained consumer preference for high-protein, healthy snacks.

Production cheese and curd in Denmark

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Denmark ranked as the 11th largest producer of cheese and curd from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

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

Following two years of growth, cheese and curd production in Denmark experienced a decline. In 2021, production stood at 909 K t, marking a slight decrease of 2.8% compared to 2020. The peak was recorded in 2020 at 935 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.3%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Denmark

Exports in kind, K t

Cheese and curd exports from Denmark have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 401.9 K t, reflecting a modest increase of 1.0% over 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany (24.6% of exports in volume), Sweden (13.3%), and the United Kingdom (12.5%) were the main buyers of Danish cheese and curd, together accounting for 50.4% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Denmark's cheese and curd export value rebounded. In 2021, exports amounted to 1 753 M $ US, representing a 9.7% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 598 M $ US, following the largest decline of 7.3% in 2019.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany (20.3% of export value), Sweden (14.3%), and the United Kingdom (10.3%) were the largest buyers of Danish cheese and curd in monetary terms, collectively making up 44.9% of total export value, with numerous smaller partners contributing to the remainder.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Denmark

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Denmark's cheese and curd imports reached 104.2 K t, up by 4.2% from the prior year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 100.0 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 2.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany (30.7% of import volume), Sweden (12.9%), and the Netherlands (12.8%) were the primary sources for Denmark's cheese and curd imports, together accounting for 56.5% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd import values in Denmark have increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled approximately 444 M $ US, rising by 14.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 8.6%, with a CAGR of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 383 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Denmark's cheese and curd imports in value terms were distributed across many countries. Germany (23.9% of import value), Sweden (13.0%), and Italy (11.8%) together accounted for 48.8% of total import value, reflecting a diverse range of suppliers.

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

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