Cheese and curd market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The New Zealand cheese and curd market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 448 thousand tons in 2018, domestic market size declined to 387 thousand tons in 2020, then recovered to a peak of 420 thousand tons in 2022 before contracting to 390 thousand tons in 2023. In value terms, the market mirrored this pattern, falling from $1.85 billion in 2018 to $1.58 billion in 2020, then rising sharply to $2.08 billion in 2022 and easing to $1.88 billion in 2023.

Domestic production stabilized after 2020, remaining around 750 thousand tons annually through 2023. Over the same period, export volumes grew steadily from 323 thousand tons in 2018 to 374 thousand tons in 2023, which directly influenced the amount of product available for the local market. Imports remained a minor component, fluctuating between 10 and 14 thousand tons per year.

The market's value increase in 2022 was driven by higher prices, as the production value reached $3.68 billion despite flat physical output. The 2023 downturn in both volume and value reflected a combination of reduced domestic availability and a moderation in price levels.

Production cheese and curd in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

New Zealand was among the world's top cheese and curd producers from 2018 to 2021, ranking 15th globally by production volume.

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2018-2021

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

Following a two-year decline, cheese and curd production in New Zealand rebounded in 2021, reaching 760.0 K t. This marked an 8.6% increase compared to the previous year. Production had hit its lowest point in 2020 at 700.0 K t, with the largest annual drop of 4.1% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, the value of cheese and curd production in New Zealand rose in 2021 to 3 135 M $ US, representing an 11.1% year-over-year increase. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 820 M $ US, while the most significant decrease of 6.9% took place in 2019.

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

Exports cheese and curd from New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, New Zealand exported 361.3 K t of cheese and curd, showing a strong 11.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, when exports fell by 3.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Japan, and Australia remained the leading buyers of New Zealand's cheese and curd exports by volume. China accounted for 21.7% of exports, Japan for 18.8%, and Australia for 13.4%. Together, these three countries represented 53.9% of New Zealand's total cheese and curd exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

New Zealand's cheese and curd exports reached 1 490 M $ US in 2021, up 14.4% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 12.9%, with a CAGR of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 303 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 1.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China, Japan, and Australia continued to be the main destinations for New Zealand's cheese and curd exports by value. China represented 22.2% of export value, Japan 18.6%, and Australia 13.5%. Collectively, these three markets made up 54.3% of New Zealand's total cheese and curd export value.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

New Zealand imported 11.4 K t of cheese and curd in 2021, reflecting a modest 9.2% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 2.4%, with a CAGR of -0.8%. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 10.4 K t and their peak in 2019 at 12.7 K t. The largest decline of 18.0% occurred in 2020.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Australia, the United States, and Denmark were the key suppliers of cheese and curd to New Zealand by volume. Australia accounted for 26.8% of imports, the United States for 26.0%, and Denmark for 12.0%. Together, these three countries represented 64.8% of New Zealand's total cheese and curd imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, New Zealand's cheese and curd imports amounted to 73 M $ US, an 18.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value rose by 7.8%, with a CAGR of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 62 M $ US, while imports peaked in 2019 at 73 M $ US. The largest decline of 16.1% occurred in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Australia, the United States, and Denmark were the primary suppliers of cheese and curd to New Zealand by value. Australia accounted for 26.9% of import value, the United States for 20.9%, and Denmark for 14.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 62.6% of New Zealand's total cheese and curd import value.

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

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