Cheese and curd market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the cheese and curd market in Northern America showed consistent growth, with market volume rising from 13.4 million tons to 14.5 million tons. The market faced a temporary stabilization in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of the HoReCa sector, reducing demand for specialty cheeses. However, a rebound followed with the reopening of food service, setting the stage for accelerated expansion.

Product innovation and the entry of new players became key growth drivers from 2021 onward. Dairy Farmers of America introduced a new cheddar cheese curd flavor, while Land O'Lakes launched a shredded cheese line, expanding product offerings. A strategic partnership between Kraft Heinz and NotCo to produce plant-based cheese at scale reflected the rising consumer demand for vegan alternatives, creating a new segment in the market.

Stringent U.S. food safety and labeling regulations bolstered consumer confidence in product quality, supporting market growth. Simultaneously, a significant surge in milk prices due to supply shortages pushed up cheese selling prices, contributing to the market's value increase from $57.5 billion to $82.8 billion. Shifting consumer preferences toward organic, clean-label, and artisanal varieties further stimulated product development and premiumization.

Production cheese and curd in Northern America

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 America grew for the second year in a row. In 2019, output reached 13 643 K t, marking a 1.0% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 13 403 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 0.2% during this period.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cheese and curd production in Northern America was 57 163 M $ US, remaining largely unchanged from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 2.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 at 2.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 0.1%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

Northern America exported 14.7 K t of cheese and curd in 2020, showing little change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 3.5%, averaging 1.2% per year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 12.2 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.1%. In contrast, 2019 saw the highest export volume at 14.7 K t, with the largest increase of 21.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia, the Bahamas, and Japan were among the top buyers of cheese and curd from Northern America, accounting for 12.9%, 4.3%, and 3.9% of exports in kind, respectively. However, together they represented just 21.1% of total exports, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cheese and curd exports from Northern America totaled 61.5 M $ US, a decrease of 1.7% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 52.1 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 16.2%. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 62.6 M $ US, with the largest increase of 20.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cheese and curd exports from Northern America were distributed across many countries. Even the largest destinations—Saudi Arabia, the Bahamas, and Japan—together accounted for only 14.4% of total export value, indicating a well-diversified market.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of cheese and curd into Northern America showed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. The lowest level was in 2018 at 25.3 K t, which saw the largest decline of 88.8%. In 2019, imports increased by 24.6%, and by 2020, they reached 35.8 K t, a rise of 13.6% from the previous year. The peak was in 2017, with an 8.9-fold difference between the highest and lowest points over this period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of cheese and curd into Northern America were widely dispersed among partner countries. Italy, France, and Denmark were the top sources, contributing 16.3%, 14.3%, and 7.1% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented only 37.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cheese and curd imports into Northern America increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 352.1 M $ US, up 9.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 33.2%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 10.0%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the partner structure for cheese and curd imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Italy, France, and Switzerland were the leading sources, accounting for 23.0%, 17.1%, and 8.1% of import value, respectively. Together, they represented 48.2% of total flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 51.8%.

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

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