Cheese and curd market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Latin America and the Caribbean expanded from 2.98 million tons in 2018 to 3.65 million tons in 2023. Initial growth was supported by tax reforms focused on income equality in several countries, which increased household spending power. The market accelerated sharply in 2020-2021, driven by post-pandemic recovery efforts and a rising focus on sustainable finance, which channeled investments into the agri-food and dairy sectors.

After the rapid rebound, growth moderated but remained positive. Continued emphasis on green bonds and sustainable investment helped maintain production momentum. In 2022, regional policy initiatives linking climate change and health began shaping environmental and production regulations, adding a new dimension to market evolution. Through 2023, the market kept advancing, reflecting steady demand and ongoing sectoral development.

Production cheese and curd in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Cheese and curd production in Latin America and the Caribbean grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 952 thousand tons, showing a modest increase of 3.3% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of cheese and curd production in Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 16 546 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate rise of 9.4% from 2019. However, over the broader timeframe from 2017 to 2020, production value actually declined by 3.1%, averaging a 1.0% annual decrease. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 14 017 million US dollars, which also saw the steepest drop of 17.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean exported 111.4 thousand tons of cheese and curd, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 20.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 116.4 thousand tons, which also marked the largest increase of 25.7%. In 2019, exports saw the biggest decline of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export destinations for cheese and curd in volume terms were highly diverse. Russia accounted for 11.2% of exports, the United States for 9.1%, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) for 2.0%. Together, these three markets made up just 22.2% of total flows, with the remaining 77.8% spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Export revenues from cheese and curd in Latin America and the Caribbean rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 624 million US dollars, up 6.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.1%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 577 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, export values were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Russia represented 14.1% of export value, the United States 11.5%, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) 2.1%. Combined, these three accounted for only 27.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports cheese and curd to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean imported about 268.9 thousand tons of cheese and curd, showing a controlled decrease of 5.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 7.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 2.5%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 265.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest drop of 8.4%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant source for cheese and curd imports in volume terms, accounting for 41.3%. New Zealand followed with 7.6%, and the Netherlands with 6.1%. Together, these three countries represented 55.0% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Import spending on cheese and curd in Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 567 million US dollars, up by a modest 2.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3.7%, averaging an annual increase of 1.2%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 497 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States remained the key partner for cheese and curd imports in value terms, accounting for 46.5%. New Zealand contributed 7.5%, and the Netherlands 6.6%. Together, these three countries made up 60.7% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020