Cheese and curd market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Northern Africa saw consistent volume expansion from 2018 to 2022, with market size growing from 1 531 thousand tons to 2 020 thousand tons. The global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and heightened consumer attention on product safety and local origins, which helped sustain demand during a period of worldwide uncertainty.

Market value rose more dramatically, climbing from 7 297 million US dollars in 2018 to 12 043 million in 2022. A significant driver behind this surge in value was the global increase in raw material and production costs, which led to higher prices for cheese and curd across the region.

In 2023, market volume contracted to 1 875 thousand tons, while the market's value remained nearly unchanged at 11 964 million US dollars, reflecting a market where price levels held firm even as consumption dipped.

Production cheese and curd in Northern Africa

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 Northern Africa has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 647 K t, marking a modest year-over-year rise of 3.7%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 510 K t, when output fell by 2.9%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Africa's cheese and curd production has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 7 822 M $ US, up 3.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 6.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.1%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 7 182 M $ US, with a decline of 2.2%. The largest increase was in 2019, at 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cheese and curd from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Northern Africa's cheese and curd exports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 52.6 K t, representing a sharp fall of 21.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 30.3%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, cheese and curd exports from Northern Africa were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Saudi Arabia accounted for 18.9% of exports in kind, Jordan for 13.3%, and Lebanon for 9.5%. Together, these three countries made up just 41.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of cheese and curd from Northern Africa have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 249.7 M $ US, reflecting a 21.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 29.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Lebanon were key buyers of cheese and curd from Northern Africa in value terms. Saudi Arabia accounted for 19.0% of exports, Jordan for 13.1%, and Lebanon for 12.1%. However, their combined share reached only 44.2% of total exports, with the remaining 55.8% spread across numerous other partners.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Northern Africa's cheese and curd imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 104.2 K t, up 6.2% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 24.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Ireland, and New Zealand were the top suppliers of cheese and curd to Northern Africa in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 21.9% of imports, Ireland for 20.3%, and New Zealand for 8.5%. Together, they represented 50.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cheese and curd imports into Northern Africa amounted to 493.7 M $ US, showing a strong increase of 15.3% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 30.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 21.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over 2017–2020, the Netherlands, Ireland, and New Zealand remained the leading sources in the value structure of imports into Northern Africa. The Netherlands accounted for 24.3% of imports in value terms, Ireland for 18.2%, and New Zealand for 8.8%. Their combined share made up 51.3% of total import flows.

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

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