Cheese and curd market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) remained stable through 2018 and 2019, with volumes hovering near 3 343 тыс. т. Beginning in 2020, the market entered a growth phase, reaching 3 855 тыс. т by 2021. This increase was fueled by a continued rise in domestic Russian production, reinforced by import restrictions and the activation of earlier investment projects which expanded local manufacturing capacity.

Market volume stabilized at 3 819 тыс. т in 2022, as reduced household incomes dampened consumer demand, particularly for cottage cheese. A dramatic shift occurred in 2023, with the market surging to 5 095 тыс. т. This jump was driven by a sharp 15.9% increase in Russian cheese output, a direct consequence of the exit of major foreign producers like Valio and Danone, which catalyzed large-scale import substitution and redirected consumption to domestically produced cheeses.

Production cheese and curd in Eastern Europe (including Northern 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

Cheese and curd production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 564 K t, marking a moderate 4.2% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 13%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.5%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 314 K t, when output dropped by 19.1%—the sharpest decrease during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, cheese and curd production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 17 011 M $ US, showing a 5.3% rise from the previous year. Despite this recent uptick, production decreased by 9% overall between 2017 and 2020, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.1%. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 16 155 M $ US, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 with an 11.7% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Cheese and curd exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have expanded for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 601.2 K t, up 4.3% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 17%, averaging an annual increase of 5.4%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 509.3 K t, which saw a slight decline of 0.9%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest surge with a 13.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, cheese and curd from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were exported to numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom—collectively accounted for just 18.4% of total exports by volume, highlighting the region's diverse trade network.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 2 869 M $ US, a 5.4% gain over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 22.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, cheese and curd exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) involved a wide array of trading partners. The leading destinations—Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom—together made up only 18.3% of total export value, underscoring the broad distribution of these goods.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports cheese and curd to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, cheese and curd imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) amounted to 648.1 K t, surging 29.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports climbed by 48.5%, averaging an annual increase of 14.1%. The most notable decline was in 2019, with a 7.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, cheese and curd imports by volume into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) came from a diverse set of countries. Germany (24.5% of imports), the Netherlands (4.5%), and Italy (3.6%) together accounted for just 32.6% of total imports, indicating a reliance on many other suppliers.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have risen for the third straight year. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 3 270 M $ US, a modest 7.6% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 31.8%, with an average annual rate of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the import market for cheese and curd in value terms was highly diversified. Germany (22.8% of imports), Italy (5.3%), and the Netherlands (4.7%) together represented only 32.7% of total imports, while the remaining 67.3% came from a wide range of other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020