Cheese and curd market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the cheese and curd market in Japan expanded from 475 thousand tons to 611 thousand tons. This growth was driven by increasing health consciousness, the rise of home dining, pizza market expansion, and a wine boom that popularized table cheeses. The number of domestic cheese factories exceeded 300, with around half concentrated in Hokkaido. In 2019, demand was further fueled by health trends and the desire for social media-worthy food photos, with about 40% of Japanese consuming cheese at least weekly. Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary dip in foodservice cheese demand in 2020, overall market volume continued to rise as consumers ate more at home.

After 2020, market growth stalled and volume began to contract. In 2021, the foodservice cheese segment showed signs of recovery from the pandemic, growing 1.1% in value terms, though it slightly declined in volume. The restoration of the restaurant industry in 2022 boosted dairy product sales, supported by consumer preference for eating out and takeaway. However, by 2023, the total market volume fell to 554 thousand tons, an 8% drop, primarily due to rising cheese prices. Despite this, the cheese dessert segment proved resilient, growing 8% in 2023, sustained by health, cost, and time efficiency considerations.

In subsequent years, the market faced the challenge of broadening its consumer base amid high inflation. Natural cheese remained favored for its taste, while processed cheese attracted price-sensitive buyers. Tighter labeling and packaging regulations required more accurate disclosure of ingredients and nutritional content, affecting producers. Simultaneously, the craft cheese segment grew, driven by premiumization and demand for local products.

Production cheese and curd in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan ranked 28th globally in cheese and curd production.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

World map of production of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

Japan's cheese and curd production grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 322.7 K t, a 0.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 69.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 19.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following two years of growth, cheese and curd production in Japan declined in value terms. In 2021, output was valued at 4 253 M $ US, down 4.3% from a year earlier. From 2018 to 2021, production value increased by 76.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 4 446 M $ US, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 64.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

Japan's cheese and curd exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 1.4 K t, up 41.4% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 67.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 18.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.7 K t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the top buyers of Japanese cheese and curd by volume were Asia, not elsewhere specified (43.4% of exports), Hong Kong (23.3%), and Thailand (15.5%). Together, these markets accounted for 82.2% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Japan's cheese and curd exports in value terms grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 18 M $ US, a 34.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value rose by 74.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for Japanese cheese and curd exports by value were Asia, not elsewhere specified (42.0% of exports), Hong Kong (24.9%), and Thailand (10.7%). Collectively, these three markets represented 77.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021

Imports cheese and curd to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

Japan's cheese and curd imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, import volume reached 287.7 K t, down 1.3% year-on-year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 302.6 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.9%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2020 at 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the leading suppliers of cheese and curd to Japan by volume were Australia (25.6% of imports), New Zealand (21.3%), and the United States (12.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 59.4% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's cheese and curd imports totaled 1 284 M $ US, showing a slight gain of 0.6% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 277 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual decline of 3.6%. The highest value was in 2019 at 1 325 M $ US, with the largest annual increase of 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the main suppliers of cheese and curd to Japan by value were Australia (23.9% of imports), New Zealand (19.9%), and the United States (13.3%). Together, these three countries represented 57.1% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021