Market research

Cheese and curd market in Germany

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cheese and curd in Germany measured in physical terms dropped sharply in 2019 to 2.4 million tons from 5.7 million tons in 2018, then entered a phase of gradual recovery, reaching 2.6 million tons by 2024. In value terms, the market consistently expanded from $8.7 billion in 2019 to $11.7 billion in 2024. At the beginning of the period, growing consumer preference for high-protein curd products, which doubled sales in that segment, provided underlying support for the market.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered a surge in at-home consumption, boosting both physical volume and market value. After the pandemic, the market stabilized, with a slight contraction in volume in 2023 accompanied by a significant jump in dairy product prices—cheese and curd prices rose by about 20.3%—which drove the market's value growth despite softer unit sales.

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, 2018-2024
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2024
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2019-2024
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2019-2024
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Germany
  1. 5.1.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K t
  2. 5.1.2. In value, 2019-2024, M $ US
2. 5.2. Production in the EU, 2018-2024
  1. 5.2.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K t
  2. 5.2.2. In value, 2018-2024, M $ US
3. 5.3. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.3.1. Global Production by Country in kind
    1. 5.3.1.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
    2. 5.3.1.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
    3. 5.3.1.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ 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 Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's cheese and curd production was valued at 9 580 million US dollars, marking an 8.8% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	8.8%	4.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked second globally in cheese and curd production volume.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Germany produced 2 899 thousand tonnes of cheese and curd, a slight increase of 2.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 51.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 21.6%. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 2 821 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 6 086 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop was in 2019, when production fell by 53.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.1%	(53.7%)	2.8%	(21.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cheese and curd from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's cheese and curd exports have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 318 thousand tonnes, a controlled rise of 3.2% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 8.9%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.1%	4.3%	3.2%	2.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated Germany's cheese and curd exports. Italy accounted for 19.6% of exports in volume, the Netherlands for 12.7%, and France for 6.8%, together making up 39.1% of total exports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's cheese and curd export value has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 4 818 million US dollars, up 4.4% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.5%	0.6%	4.4%	2.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's cheese and curd export buyers were diverse. Italy represented 19.6% of exports in value, the Netherlands 11.0%, and Austria 7.5%, together contributing 38.2% of total export value. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cheese and curd to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's cheese and curd imports have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 895 thousand tonnes, a small increase of 2.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 8.9%, with an annualized rate of 2.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 810 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 1.5%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, when imports rose by 7.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.5%)	7.5%	2.8%	2.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—the Netherlands, France, and Denmark—together accounted for 61.2% of Germany's cheese and curd imports in volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's cheese and curd import value has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 4 752 million US dollars, reflecting a 4.7% rise over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.0%	2.4%	4.7%	3.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Italy were key partners in Germany's cheese and curd imports by value, accounting for 28.5%, 19.3%, and 12.3% respectively, together making up 60.1% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io