Market research

Cheese and curd market in Mexico

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The Mexican cheese and curd market demonstrated steady growth in volume from 421 thousand tons in 2018 to 524 thousand tons in 2023. Initial expansion was underpinned by sustained demand across income segments and increased fluid milk production, which enhanced domestic supply. The market maintained upward momentum even during economic shifts, with a pronounced surge in 2021.

This acceleration from 2021 onward was primarily driven by rising fast-food consumption where cheese is a key ingredient, alongside growing health awareness that boosted demand for quality products. The popularity of traditional and artisanal cheeses, such as Queso Fresco, Oaxaca, and Panela, further fueled growth, supported by higher disposable income and the expansion of retail and foodservice channels. The hotel, restaurant, and institutional sector, along with comfort foods like pizza, provided consistent demand, contributing to both volume and value increases.

Market evolution continued with product diversification, including new flavors, spreadable cheeses, and healthier options. Global influences like veganism prompted the introduction of plant-based cheeses, while interest grew in functional, probiotic, and specialty varieties. Investments by dairy organizations and state governments in promotion and incentives reinforced market development. Import volumes rose to supplement domestic production, reflecting the market's robust appetite.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Mexico
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Mexico by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production cheese and curd in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico ranked 25th globally in cheese and curd production.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Mexico's cheese and curd production volume grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 374.0 thousand tonnes, marking a 5.3% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production rose by 9.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.1%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.2%	0.8%	5.3%	3.1%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Mexico's cheese and curd output was valued at 1 671 million US dollars, showing a significant decrease of 17.9% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value fell by 12.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 035 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.0%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.1%)	12.0%	(17.9%)	(4.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cheese and curd from Mexico

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Mexico's cheese and curd export volume reached 4.8 thousand tonnes, up by 50.5% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 60.7%, with a CAGR of 17.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 52.1%, while the largest decline was in 2020 at 29.8%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	52.1%	(29.8%)	50.5%	17.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the dominant destination for Mexico's cheese and curd exports in volume terms, accounting for 79.8% of total flows. Other countries each held much smaller shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Mexico's cheese and curd exports totaled 21.6 million US dollars, reflecting a robust increase of 17.4% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value rose by 28.2%, with a CAGR of 8.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 23.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 39.9%, while the largest decline was in 2020 at 22.0%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	39.9%	(22.0%)	17.4%	8.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United States remained the leading buyer of Mexico's cheese and curd in value terms, holding 82.8% of total exports. The remainder was distributed among many other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cheese and curd to Mexico

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Mexico imported 105.4 thousand tonnes of cheese and curd, indicating a strong increase of 19.9% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 27.9%, with a CAGR of 8.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 3.3%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.3%	(3.3%)	19.9%	8.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the primary supplier of cheese and curd to Mexico in volume terms, accounting for 91.0% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Mexico's cheese and curd imports declined. In 2021, imports were valued at 475.9 million US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 1.6% year-on-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value increased by 7.4%, with a CAGR of 2.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 483.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 6.3%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.6%	6.3%	(1.6%)	2.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico's cheese and curd imports were heavily oriented towards the United States, which accounted for 90.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io