Cheese and curd market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cheese and curd in Finland experienced notable shifts between 2018 and 2024. After a decline to 132 820 t in 2019, attributed to rising retail price margins and new national nutrition recommendations encouraging reduced salt and fat content, consumption rebounded to 141 659 t in 2020. Subsequent years saw relative stability, with volumes hovering around 140 000 t, as continued price increases moderated demand. However, in 2024, volume grew to 143 516 t despite a sharp 21% rise in cheese prices, as consumers shifted toward more affordable cheese products.

Regulatory updates played a consistent role throughout the period. EU and national legislation, such as the detailed packaging labeling requirements under Regulation (EU) 2018/456 and later rules on protected designations (e.g., Regulation (EU) 2024/1143), mandated clearer ingredient disclosure and percentage labeling for protected-name cheeses. These measures led to repackaging investments and tightened hygiene standards, affecting production costs and market offerings.

Consumer preferences evolved under the influence of health guidelines. The 2024 national nutrition recommendations, advocating for cheese with no more than 1.2% salt and 17% fat, guided product development and purchasing decisions. This, combined with sustained price margin growth in the food chain—reported by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority—pushed the market toward lower-fat, lower-salt, and more competitively priced segments, shaping both volume and value trends.

Production cheese and curd in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Finland's cheese and curd production was valued at 527.6 million US dollars, marking a 3.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 0.7%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 6.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Cheese and curd production in Finland has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Finland produced 87 470 tonnes of cheese and curd, remaining stable compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.6%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Finland

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Cheese and curd exports from Finland reached 16 294 tonnes in 2020, showing a dramatic rise of 123.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 300 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 52.2%. Import levels fluctuated, with a 2.2-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (accounting for 20.1% of exports in kind), Belgium (14.0%), and Japan (12.6%) were significant buyers of cheese and curd from Finland. However, their combined share made up only 46.6% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 53.4% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Finland's cheese and curd exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 64.5 million US dollars, representing a 4.2% year-over-year advance. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 20.9%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for cheese and curd from Finland was broad. The United States (22.8% of exports in value terms), Belgium (13.1%), and Japan (11.3%) together contributed only 47.2% of total exports in value terms, while many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Finland

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Finland imported a total of 52 939 tonnes of cheese and curd, up by 33.1% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 52 939 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 24.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, Denmark (32.3% of imports in kind), Germany (30.2%), and Sweden (10.1%) consistently served as the main sources for imports in kind, together accounting for 72.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd deliveries to Finland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Finland imported 304.8 million US dollars worth of cheese and curd, down by 2.6% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 321.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 2.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Denmark (31.9% of imports in value terms), Germany (24.0%), and the Netherlands (10.5%) formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms, together representing 66.4% of total import flows.

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

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