Cheese and curd market in Israel

Earlier Report Observations

The Israeli cheese market experienced moderate growth in volume from 2018 to 2023, following a minor contraction in 2019. Consumer preferences during this period favored soft and semi-hard cheeses, with a growing culinary trend also boosting interest in hard varieties. Market expansion was supported by the opening of specialized boutique cheese shops and delicatessens, which increased product accessibility and variety for consumers.

From 2021 onward, a comprehensive dairy sector reform became the primary market driver. The government implemented measures to liberalize imports, including increasing duty-free quotas for hard and speciality cheeses and initiating a phased removal of tariffs on high-fat soft cheeses. This was further reinforced by a trade agreement with the United States. These actions aimed to lower consumer prices and intensify competition, which sustained consistent market volume growth despite concerns from local producers about the potential closure of dairy farms.

Production cheese and curd in Israel

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Israel ranked as the 27th largest producer of cheese and curd globally.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Israel produced 296.3 thousand tons of cheese and curd, marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.3%, while the most significant decline was in 2019 at 3.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cheese and curd production in Israel was 1 645 million US dollars, representing a 5.0% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 9.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The largest drop was recorded in 2018 at 5.6%, while the only increase occurred in 2019 at 1.4%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Israel

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Israel exported 1 339 tons of cheese and curd, showing a 12.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 12.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 1 192 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel's cheese and curd exports were heavily dependent on the United States, which accounted for 98.5% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Israel's cheese and curd exports increased in 2020, reaching 7 434 thousand US dollars, a modest 2.2% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 4.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 274 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 5.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the nearly exclusive buyer of Israeli cheese and curd, purchasing 98.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Israel

Imports in kind, t

For the third consecutive year, Israel's cheese and curd imports increased. In 2020, import volume totaled 14 319 tons, a 0.9% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 51.9%, equating to an average annual rate of 14.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, the Netherlands, and Italy remained the primary suppliers of cheese and curd to Israel, accounting for 26.8%, 20.7%, and 11.3% of import volume, respectively. Together, they formed 58.8% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

For the third year in a row, Israel's cheese and curd import value increased. In 2020, imports reached 76 120 thousand US dollars, a 14.9% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 37.2%, with an average annual rate of 11.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, the Netherlands, and Italy continued as the main suppliers of cheese and curd to Israel, representing 25.5%, 21.5%, and 12.2% of import value, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 59.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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