Cheese and curd market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

Cheese and curd production in Egypt increased from 1 214 тыс. т in 2018 to 1 676 тыс. т in 2022, with market volume rising from 1 175 тыс. т to 1 662 тыс. т over the same period. The growth in 2022 was partly reinforced by a suspension of dairy imports from Fonterra due to documentary credit issues, which prompted domestic output to compensate. However, both production and market volume contracted in 2023, falling to 1 531 тыс. т and 1 519 тыс. т respectively.

In monetary terms, the market expanded consistently, reaching $9 410 млн долл. США in 2023 from $5 184 млн долл. США in 2018. The volume contraction in 2023 coincided with Egypt's achievement of $156 million in net exports of processed cheese that year, indicating a move toward higher-value export items that helped maintain value growth despite lower total volume.

Imports of cheese and curd declined from 26 тыс. т in 2021 to 14 тыс. т in 2023, reflecting reduced dependence on foreign supplies. By 2024, price reports showed a drop of up to 24% in consumer prices for white cheese, while overall cheese and dairy prices remained relatively stable, pointing to shifting cost conditions for end buyers.

Production cheese and curd in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Egypt ranked as the 5th largest producer of cheese and curd from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Egypt's cheese and curd production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 347.8 thousand tons, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 4.4%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 1 214.4 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 3.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the highest increase at 6.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cheese and curd production in Egypt continued to expand for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 295 million US dollars, reflecting a gradual rise of 9.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 12.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 331 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 4.5%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

Egypt's cheese and curd exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 44 217 tons, representing a 21.5% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 28.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt's cheese and curd exports were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The top three destinations—Saudi Arabia (22.2% of exports in kind), Jordan (16.4%), and Libya (11.4%)—collectively accounted for 50.0% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Egypt's cheese and curd exports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 206.5 million US dollars, indicating a drop of 17.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 25%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt traded cheese and curd with numerous countries. Even the largest export destinations—Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Libya—together represented only 50.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

Egypt's cheese and curd imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 24 679 tons, corresponding to a slight gain of 1.8% versus the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (26.8% of imports in kind), New Zealand (18.5%), and Poland (15.6%) were the primary suppliers of cheese and curd to Egypt, jointly accounting for 60.9% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Egypt's cheese and curd imports grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were approximately 136.3 million US dollars, which is 11.4% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 26.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (27.5% of imports in value terms), New Zealand (18.9%), and Poland (13.6%) were the largest suppliers of cheese and curd to Egypt, together forming 60.0% of total import value.

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

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