Cheese and curd market in Georgia

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Georgia showed strong overall growth from 2018 to 2023, with market volume increasing from 2 772 t to 5 400 t, a rise of 95%. In value terms, the market expanded even more sharply, from 10.9 million US dollars to 28.5 million US dollars, indicating a significant increase in average value per ton.

Following a slight dip in 2020, market volume recovered and entered a period of accelerated annual growth exceeding 20% from 2021 onward. The market's value growth consistently outpaced volume growth throughout the period, suggesting a shift towards higher-value products or increased costs.

The Georgian market is primarily supplied by imports, which rose from 2 739 t in 2018 to 5 522 t in 2023, while domestic production remained relatively stable at approximately 80 t per year.

Production cheese and curd in Georgia

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Cheese and curd production in Georgia has been growing for three consecutive years. In 2020, Georgia produced 78 860 kg of cheese and curd, representing a 4.2% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Georgia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports cheese and curd from Georgia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 42 t, while the maximum was reached in 2020 at 125 t, resulting in a threefold variation between these years. In 2020, cheese and curd exports from Georgia totaled 125 t, marking a 21.7% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 59.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a surge of 146.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Armenia and the United States were the primary destinations for exports in kind, together accounting for 91.5% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 351 K $ US, while the maximum was reached in 2020 at 775 K $ US, showing a 2.2-fold shift. In 2020, exported cheese and curd volumes from Georgia amounted to 775 K $ US, reflecting a sharp increase of 26.1% compared to the prior year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 34.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 75.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Armenia consistently made up 90.4% of total exports in value terms, indicating a high degree of concentration, with a long tail of smaller markets accounting for the remainder.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Georgia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Georgia's cheese and curd import volume declined. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 197 t, while in 2020, imports were recorded at 3 000 t, marking a 6.2% decrease year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 17.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 16.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Russia, Germany, and Poland—together accounted for 54.8% of total cheese and curd imports in kind to Georgia.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of gains, cheese and curd shipments to Georgia from abroad declined. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 12 112 K $ US, while in 2020, Georgia imported cheese and curd worth 12 112 K $ US, representing a 5.6% drop year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 16.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 13.3%.

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

In 2017–2020, Germany (23.1% of imports in value terms), Russia (16.1% of imports in value terms), and Poland (11.0% of imports in value terms) formed the main cluster of markets for imports in value terms, with a combined share of 50.3% of total flows.

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

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