Cheese and curd market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, cheese and curd production in Kenya grew from 671 t to 711 t, while market volume expanded from 845 t to 899 t. Rising middle-class incomes and urbanization boosted consumer demand for value-added dairy products. The introduction of a guaranteed minimum price for milk in 2019 began to affect production costs. In 2020, COVID‑19 border closures disrupted imports, but a shift toward online grocery shopping sustained demand for packaged cheese, helping to keep production stable.

The market continued to grow through 2021‑2022, with production reaching 831 t and market volume peaking at 1 081 t in 2022. The official launch of the Kenya Dairy Industry Regulations 2021 imposed mandatory traceability and labeling rules, raising compliance standards for all processors. Simultaneously, the revision of dairy import regulations tightened market access for foreign cheese brands, encouraging domestic supply. State‑owned processors New KCC and Brookside expanded their cheese‑processing capacity, which supported the increase in local output.

In 2023, production edged down to 826 t and market volume fell to 946 t. The implementation of the 2021 minimum‑price guarantee raised the base cost of milk, squeezing margins for cheese makers. Meanwhile, the Kenya Dairy Industry Sustainability Roadmap promoted climate‑smart production practices, and new packaging regulations under the Extended Producer Responsibility framework added compliance costs. The passage of the Livestock Bill 2024 established a new regulatory authority for animal feed, further shaping the operating environment for dairy farms.

Production cheese and curd in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Cheese and curd production in Kenya rose for two years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 712.8 tonnes, but in 2020 it fell slightly to 711.1 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 13.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 7.1%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Kenya's cheese and curd exports rebounded. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 28.2 tonnes, but in 2020 they rose to 35.4 tonnes, marking a 25.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall exports decreased by 16.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.8%. The sharpest drop was recorded in 2019, with a 30.4% fall.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan were the key destinations for Kenya's cheese and curd exports in volume terms. Tanzania accounted for 25.4% of exports, Rwanda for 19.0%, and South Sudan for 17.7%. Together, these three countries made up 62.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of cheese and curd exports from Kenya dipped. In 2019, exports reached their highest value at 405 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 they decreased to 393 thousand US dollars, down 2.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 85.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 23.0%. The largest increase was in 2018, with a 52.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Rwanda dominated Kenya's cheese and curd exports in value terms. These three markets collectively accounted for 80.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

Cheese and curd imports into Kenya grew for the second year in a row. In 2018, imports were at their lowest at 215.3 tonnes, but by 2020 they had increased to 220.9 tonnes, showing a modest gain of 2.6% from the previous year. The most notable decline occurred in 2018, with a 3.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, France, and Ireland were the main suppliers of cheese and curd to Kenya in volume terms. Egypt contributed 29.7% of imports, France 14.2%, and Ireland 14.0%. Together, these three countries represented 57.9% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of increase, the value of cheese and curd imports into Kenya fell. In 2019, imports peaked at 1 130 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 they dropped to 988 thousand US dollars, a 12.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 22.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a 30.9% surge.

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

During 2017-2020, Egypt, Ireland, and France were the primary suppliers of cheese and curd to Kenya in value terms. Egypt accounted for 23.9% of imports, Ireland for 16.5%, and France for 14.7%. Collectively, these three countries made up 55.1% of total import value.

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

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