Cheese and curd market in Honduras

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the cheese and curd market in Honduras reached 29 085 t. The implementation of the Central American Technical Regulation for matured cheeses established mandatory specifications, standardizing production, while the absence of industrial curd production in Tegucigalpa opened opportunities for new processing plants. By 2020, market volume declined to 26 797 t, influenced by updated tariff classification criteria for dairy products, which temporarily reduced imports. Simultaneously, rising cheese prices due to lower milk production in the summer began to increase market value.

The market recovered to 28 939 t in 2021 and peaked at 31 099 t in 2022, largely driven by import growth. This coincided with the authorization of the Honduran Institute of Agricultural Marketing (IHMA) to supply agricultural products, including dairy, improving distribution. The strengthening of national brands such as Sula, Delta, and La Pradera also supported local industry. However, high cheese prices persisted due to increased production costs and low milk output, and authorities imposed fines for non-compliance with price freezes in late 2022, contributing to a rise in market value to 93.2 million USD.

In 2023, market volume slightly decreased to 29 129 t, but value continued growing, reaching 102 million USD due to ongoing price increases for dairy products and continued enforcement of price regulations.

Production cheese and curd in Honduras

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Honduras produced 27 705 tonnes of cheese and curd, marking the lowest output in the period. Production then increased by 1.9% in 2020 to reach 28 221 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, the value of cheese and curd production in Honduras was at its lowest, totaling 67 269 thousand US dollars. This was followed by a 1.7% increase in 2020, bringing the value to 68 386 thousand US dollars. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 69 004 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline of 2.5% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Honduras in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Honduras

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, cheese and curd exports from Honduras hit their lowest point at 4 912 tonnes, with a sharp decline of 24.7% that year. Exports then rebounded in 2019, showing a significant increase of 26.4%. By 2020, exports had decreased to 5 816 tonnes, reflecting a gradual drop of 6.3% from the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 10.9%, averaging an annual decline of 3.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, El Salvador was the primary destination for cheese and curd exports from Honduras, accounting for 91.1% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2018, the value of cheese and curd exports from Honduras reached its minimum at 12 115 thousand US dollars, with a notable decline of 24.4% that year. This was followed by a 24.4% increase in 2019. By 2020, the export value had decreased to 14 092 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate drop of 6.5% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 12%, with an average annual decrease of 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador and Guatemala were the top destinations for cheese and curd exports from Honduras in value terms. El Salvador accounted for 90.0% of total exports, while Guatemala made up 4.0%, together representing 94.0% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Honduras

Imports in kind, t

In 2018, cheese and curd imports into Honduras saw a substantial increase of 49.3%. Imports peaked in 2019 at 6 388 tonnes, the highest level in the period. However, in 2020, imports declined sharply by 31.3% to 4 391 tonnes, ending a two-year upward trend. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 8.9%, with an average annual increase of 2.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States dominated cheese and curd imports into Honduras, holding 75.8% of the total volume. The remaining imports were distributed among various other countries, each with smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2018, cheese and curd imports into Honduras increased by 30.4% in value terms. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 26 054 thousand US dollars. In 2020, imports fell to 21 423 thousand US dollars, showing a drop of 17.8% from the previous year, which ended a two-year period of growth. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports rose by 26.6%, averaging an annual increase of 8.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading source of cheese and curd imports into Honduras in value terms, accounting for 86.3% of total imports. The rest of the imports came from a diverse group of countries, each contributing smaller amounts.

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

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