Cheese and curd market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian cheese and curd market entered a period of regulatory change in 2018 with the introduction of mandatory origin labeling for dairy ingredients and new packaging rules for fresh stretched-curd cheeses, enhancing transparency. This was followed by a surge in market volume to 3.9 million t in 2019, though volume then fell to 3.4 million t in 2020.

Market volume continued to decline after 2020, reaching 2.1 million t in 2021 before a modest recovery to 2.2 million t in 2022. That year saw further regulatory developments, including mandatory 'made with raw milk' labeling and the influence of the EU's Farm to Fork strategy on food labeling harmonization. Concurrently, the plant-based cheese alternative segment grew rapidly, with sales rising 45% annually, introducing new competitive pressure. Structural factors like scarce agricultural land and high animal feed costs constrained production, contributing to a gradual volume decrease to 1.8 million t by 2024.

In value terms, the market displayed a different pattern, declining to $10.2 billion in 2019 before rising to $12.2 billion in 2021 and stabilizing around $11.7 billion in subsequent years, reflecting higher unit prices or a product mix shift toward more expensive cheeses.

Production cheese and curd in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's cheese and curd production was valued at 12 033 million US dollars, marking a 2.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 17.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 2.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, reaching 17.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy held the third position globally in cheese and curd production.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Following two years of growth, Italy's cheese and curd production experienced a decline. In 2020, production amounted to 3 343 thousand tonnes, representing a significant decrease of 11.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 107.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 27.5%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 3 785 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 60.7%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's cheese and curd exports have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 470.7 thousand tonnes, showing a modest increase of 3.3% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 13.3%, translating to an annualized rate of 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for cheese and curd was diverse. France accounted for 20.9% of exports in volume, Germany for 15.3%, and the United Kingdom for 9.0%, together making up 45.2% of total flows. The remaining 54.8% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's cheese and curd exports have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 3 643 million US dollars, up by 1.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 20.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export landscape in value terms was broad. France represented 19.0% of exports by value, Germany 17.4%, and the United States 9.9%, collectively accounting for 46.3% of total flows. The substantial share of 53.7% went to many other countries.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Italy's cheese and curd imports declined. In 2020, import volume totaled 493.7 thousand tonnes, indicating a modest decrease of 7.4% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 3.2%, with an average annual decline of 1.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 533.1 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the leading source for Italy's cheese and curd imports by volume, accounting for 47.2%, followed by France at 8.6% and the Netherlands at 7.2%. Together, these three countries made up 63.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's cheese and curd imports have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 1 906 million US dollars, equivalent to a 7.5% loss compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 3.9%, with an annualized rate of decrease of 1.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 2 064 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, three key markets—Germany, France, and the Netherlands—collectively accounted for 61.8% of Italy's total cheese and curd imports by value.

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

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