Market research

Cheese and curd market in ECOWAS

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"ECOWAS" region includes following countries:

Benin

Burkina Faso

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Côte d'Ivoire

Cabo Verde

Liberia

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the cheese and curd market volume in ECOWAS grew consistently from 176 thousand tons to 189 thousand tons. The initial increase in 2018 coincided with the introduction of legislation aimed at enhancing food quality monitoring, which may have supported consumer confidence. Growth continued through 2019 and 2020, even as the COVID-19 pandemic began.

After peaking in 2020, the market contracted to 177 thousand tons in 2021, likely reflecting the impact of pandemic-related restrictions on supply chains and consumption. Recovery began in 2022, and by 2023 volume reached 187 thousand tons, driven by the rebound of the foodservice sector and growing consumer interest in imported cheese varieties, which boosted inward shipments.

In 2024, market dynamics continued to be shaped by persistent inflation, shifting preferences toward more affordable options, and the expansion of niche segments such as plant-based cheeses, albeit from a very low base. European cheese trade remained stable, while environmental regulations started to affect market participants' operations.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in ECOWAS
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production cheese and curd in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

ECOWAS has seen its cheese and curd production rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 178.8 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 3.5% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.4%	3.4%	3.5%	3.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cheese and curd from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The export market displayed significant volatility during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 10.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS shipped 127 tonnes of cheese and curd abroad, representing a sharp 42.3% drop compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 221 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 232.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	219.0%	232.4%	(42.3%)	82.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, ECOWAS traded cheese and curd with numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Egypt, Morocco, and Bunkers—combined accounted for only 47.5% of total exports by volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed an unstable trend over this timeframe. The lowest exports were in 2017, while the highest were in 2019, with a 5.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, ECOWAS's cheese and curd exports amounted to 514 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong 16.8% decrease from the previous year. The peak value was 617 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also experienced the largest increase of 166.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	119.3%	166.6%	(16.8%)	69.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, ECOWAS engaged in cheese and curd trade with many countries. The largest markets—Bunkers, France, and Egypt—together made up just 34.5% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cheese and curd to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

ECOWAS's cheese and curd imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 9 953 tonnes, up 7.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 134 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 0.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.6%)	1.7%	7.2%	2.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—France, Denmark, and Morocco—dominated imports by volume, collectively accounting for 57.2% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, ECOWAS's cheese and curd import value has rebounded. In 2020, imports totalled 36 058 thousand US dollars, a 9.0% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 33 096 thousand US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 5.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.1%)	(2.7%)	9.0%	0.2%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, France (47.0% of import value), Denmark (9.6%), and Morocco (7.0%) were the primary contributors to imports by value, together representing 63.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io