Cheese and curd market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in North Macedonia exhibited notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2024. After stable volumes around $57-58 million in 2018-2019, the market contracted sharply to $48.9 million in 2020 before rebounding strongly to $66.7 million in 2021. This recovery was followed by further growth, with the market reaching $82.2 million by 2024. Throughout the period, consumer loyalty to local dairy products, such as those from traditional producers using authentic recipes and natural milk, provided a stable base for domestic demand.

From 2022 onward, government price controls became a dominant market influence. Authorities froze prices on basic food items, including cheese and curd, until the end of January 2022 and later extended margin restrictions until June 2023 to curb inflation. These measures helped stabilize consumer purchasing power, supporting market expansion. In March 2023, a mandatory 10% reduction in retail prices for several dairy products, including white cheese and curd, contributed to a slight dip in the market's monetary value that year, even as physical sales likely remained robust.

Regulatory interventions continued in 2024, with requirements for online price publication and a mandate for wholesalers and retailers to source at least 70% of dairy supplies from August 2024 purchases to secure supply chains. Simultaneously, shifting consumer preferences and reduced store loyalty altered distribution dynamics, while global economic factors and logistical challenges added external pressure on prices. These combined forces shaped the market's upward trajectory to over $82 million by the end of the period.

Production cheese and curd in North Macedonia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

North Macedonia's cheese and curd production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 25 846 thousand US dollars, representing a significant year-over-year decrease of 23.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 44.8%, with an average annual decline of 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, North Macedonia produced 6 858 tonnes of cheese and curd, marking a substantial year-over-year contraction of 38.8%. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 53.3%, with an average annual decline of 22.4%. The only increase during this period occurred in 2019, when production rose by 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cheese and curd from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

Following two consecutive years of decline, North Macedonia's cheese and curd exports saw an increase. In 2020, exports reached 462 tonnes, showing a moderate year-over-year advance of 7.8%. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 45%, equating to an average annual decline of 18.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 429 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 46.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, North Macedonia's cheese and curd exports were distributed across numerous markets. The top three destinations—Serbia (31.4% of exports in volume), Russia (10.7%), and Montenegro (6.9%)—collectively accounted for only 49.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

North Macedonia's cheese and curd exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 018 thousand US dollars, which is 11.9% higher than the previous year. Despite this recent growth, exports decreased by 29.4% over the period from 2017 to 2020, with an average annual decline of 11.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 743 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 39.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia (33.0% of exports in value), Russia (10.5%), and Montenegro (6.1%) were notable but not dominant buyers of cheese and curd from North Macedonia. Together, they accounted for 49.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, cheese and curd imports into North Macedonia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 7 223 tonnes, representing a moderate year-over-year decrease of 3.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 30%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.1%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 223 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 19.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (45.3% of imports in volume), Serbia (27.8%), and Slovenia (8.1%) were the main suppliers of cheese and curd to North Macedonia. Together, they comprised 81.2% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of increase, North Macedonia's cheese and curd imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 25 061 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate year-over-year reduction of 4.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 21.4%, with an average annual increase of 6.7%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 26 094 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 17.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany (44.5% of imports in value), Serbia (23.2%), and Slovenia (8.7%) formed the key group of partners for cheese and curd imports into North Macedonia. Collectively, they represented 76.5% of total import value.

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

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