Cheese and curd market in Jordan

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Jordan expanded from 38 423 t in 2018 to 45 034 t in 2020, a 17% increase in volume over two years.

Market volume then contracted sharply to 32 893 t in 2021, down by 27%, before rebounding to 42 888 t in 2022. Another decline followed in 2023, bringing the market to 37 437 t.

For 2024, key factors include the government's approval of wheat and barley purchases from farmers to secure animal feed supplies and rising food prices that may shift consumer demand for dairy products.

Production cheese and curd in Jordan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Jordan's cheese and curd production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 22 746 tonnes, marking a 5.3% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 21 184 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 0.6%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Jordan

Exports in kind, t

The export market for cheese and curd from Jordan displayed notable volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 1 785 tonnes, a sharp 77.5% drop from the previous year. In contrast, the peak was in 2019 with 7 927 tonnes, resulting in a 4.4-fold difference between these two years. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 11.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan's key export partners for cheese and curd in volume terms were Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Iraq accounted for 41.7% of exports, Kuwait for 24.0%, and Saudi Arabia for 15.6%. Together, these three countries represented 81.3% of Jordan's total export flows in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Jordan's cheese and curd exports in value terms declined after two years of growth. In 2020, exports amounted to 27.7 million US dollars, a decrease of 17.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 3.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 33.4 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 11.8% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the core of Jordan's cheese and curd exports in value terms was formed by Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Iraq contributed 39.5% of export value, Kuwait 20.3%, and Saudi Arabia 16.3%. Collectively, these three partners accounted for 76.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Jordan

Imports in kind, t

Jordan's cheese and curd imports in volume terms decreased after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, imports totaled 24 073 tonnes, reflecting an 8.4% decline compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 26 294 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Jordan's cheese and curd imports in volume terms were Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Egypt supplied 29.7% of imports, Saudi Arabia 13.9%, and Turkey 8.8%. Together, these three countries made up 52.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Jordan's cheese and curd imports in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 125.5 million US dollars, showing a solid 11.8% growth compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 18.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Poland were significant suppliers of cheese and curd to Jordan in value terms. Egypt accounted for 23.1% of import value, Saudi Arabia for 15.3%, and Poland for 9.8%. However, their combined share was only 48.2% of total imports, with the remaining 51.8% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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