Cheese and curd market in Mongolia

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Mongolia experienced considerable fluctuations in volume from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 6 990 t in 2018, it declined to 6 414 t in 2020, then recovered to reach a peak of 7 792 t in 2022, before dropping sharply to 6 355 t in 2023.

Domestic production fell from 5 600 t in 2018 to 3 926 t in 2023, with a temporary increase to 5 183 t in 2022. In contrast, imports rose consistently from 1 396 t in 2018 to 2 904 t in 2024, highlighting a growing reliance on foreign products to sustain market supply.

The overall market dynamics were shaped by the interplay between volatile local output and steadily increasing imports, with the highest consumption achieved in 2022 when both production and imports were relatively strong.

Production cheese and curd in Mongolia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Mongolia's cheese and curd production declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, production reached 4,960 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 4,710 tonnes, marking a modest 5.0% decrease. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 15.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.4%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 5,600 tonnes, with a slight 0.8% increase that year. However, the most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 11.5%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Mongolia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for cheese and curd from Mongolia showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at just 3 tonnes, but they surged dramatically in 2020 to 42 tonnes, representing a staggering year-over-year increase of 1,161.2%. The difference between these peak and trough years was substantial, with 2020 exports being 12.6 times higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, when exports fell by 59.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and the United States were the dominant markets for Mongolia's cheese and curd exports, together accounting for 81.8% of the total volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for cheese and curd from Mongolia exhibited significant fluctuations over the observed years. In 2019, exports reached their lowest value at 16 thousand US dollars, but they rebounded sharply in 2020 to 227 thousand US dollars, marking a remarkable 1,336.9% increase compared to the previous year. The peak in 2020 was 14.4 times higher than the trough in 2019. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, with a 79.4% drop in export value.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Japan, and China were the key destinations for Mongolia's cheese and curd exports in value terms. The United States led with 54.1% of total export value, followed by Japan at 19.4%, and China at 12.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 85.8% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Mongolia

Imports in kind, t

Mongolia's imports of cheese and curd increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1,746 tonnes, up 13.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 63.6%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 17.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Argentina, and Russia were the leading sources of cheese and curd imports to Mongolia in volume terms. Germany accounted for 25.1% of imports, Argentina for 17.8%, and Russia for 14.5%. Combined, these three countries made up 57.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Mongolia's imports of cheese and curd in value terms rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 7,065 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 17.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 68.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, Argentina, and Russia were the primary suppliers of cheese and curd to Mongolia in value terms. Germany contributed 21.4% of import value, Argentina 19.2%, and Russia 14.4%. Together, these three countries represented 54.9% of total imports by value.

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

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