Cheese and curd market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in the GCC expanded from 436.8 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 495.7 thousand tonnes in 2019, a 13.5% increase. This initial growth was supported by a broader rise in the dairy sector, which had been increasing at 5% annually, driven by recovering oil prices, economic diversification, and investments that boosted employment and household incomes.

Market volume then fluctuated, dipping to 472.0 thousand tonnes in 2020, recovering to 496.5 thousand tonnes in 2021, and falling again to 415.9 thousand tonnes in 2022. The market rebounded strongly in 2023, surging 31.8% to 548.1 thousand tonnes, a rise coinciding with notable expansion in the smoked cheese segment where brands introduced new flavors and formed partnerships with restaurants and hotels to reach more consumers.

By 2024, import volumes reached 389.8 thousand tonnes and exports 119.5 thousand tonnes. During this period, market dynamics were influenced by progress in agriculture and livestock sectors supporting dairy output, a growing consumer interest in dairy alternatives such as non-dairy cheese, and the implementation of tighter monetary policy across the region.

Production cheese and curd in GCC

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 the GCC has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, GCC countries produced 263.4 thousand tons of cheese and curd, marking a modest 7.9% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 41.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.2%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Cheese and curd export volumes from the GCC reached their lowest point in 2018 at 38.6 thousand tons, then peaked in 2020 at 121.0 thousand tons, showing a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.1 times. The 2020 figure represents a significant increase of 182.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 55.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cheese and curd from the GCC were traded with numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon—together accounted for only 30.1% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

GCC cheese and curd exports have increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 544 million US dollars, corresponding to a 6.7% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 18.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

An analysis of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Iraq (10.3% of exports in value), Yemen (7.7%), and Jordan (3.8%) together accounted for only 21.8% of total flows, while the remaining 78.2% went to other partners.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

Cheese and curd imports into the GCC have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 329.7 thousand tons, which is 11.9% more than the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 268.0 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 18.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cheese and curd imports to the GCC came from a broad set of markets. Denmark (17.9% of imports in volume), Egypt (9.5%), and the United States (7.2%) together accounted for only 34.6% of total imports, while many smaller destinations made up the remaining 65.4%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imported cheese and curd volumes in the GCC have increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 483 million US dollars, showing a slight increase of 1.0% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 3.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.2%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of cheese and curd to the GCC relied on a wide range of partner countries. Denmark (14.9% of imports in value), the United States (7.3%), and Poland (7.0%) together accounted for just 29.2% of total flows.

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

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