Cheese and curd market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the cheese and curd market in Northern Europe showed volume fluctuations between 2 662 and 2 886 thousand tons, while its value grew steadily from 13 736 to 16 427 million US dollars, reflecting a broader consumer shift toward protein-rich dairy products.

The market surged in 2022 to 3 080 thousand tons and 20 043 million US dollars, driven by the viral popularity of cottage cheese on social media platforms like TikTok, which sharply increased demand, and by global cost pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine that raised production and logistics expenses, lifting prices.

In 2023, the market volume declined to 2 922 thousand tons and value fell to 18 523 million US dollars, marking a correction after the preceding year's peak.

Production cheese and curd in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Northern Europe's cheese and curd production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 3 020 K t of cheese and curd, marking a controlled 5.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 815 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 0.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern Europe's cheese and curd production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 14 143 M $ US, showing no significant change from the previous year compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 2.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 698 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 5.5%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 2.8% rise.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Cheese and curd exports from Northern Europe have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume reached 903.4 K t, reflecting a 2.4% advance compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 14.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (14.7% of exports in kind), the Netherlands (7.5% of exports in kind), and Italy (5.0% of exports in kind) were significant buyers of cheese and curd from Northern Europe. However, their combined share accounted for only 27.2% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 72.8% distributed among numerous other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year increase, exported cheese and curd volumes from Northern Europe declined. In 2020, the export volume totaled 4 230 M $ US, down by 2.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 323 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 4.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Germany (13.3% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (6.3% of exports in value terms), and the United States (5.2% of exports in value terms) together accounted for just 24.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe's cheese and curd import volume amounted to 769.3 K t, representing a strong uptick of 15.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 3.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.2%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2019 at 668.9 K t, which saw the largest decline of 24.2%. In contrast, the highest import volume was in 2018 at 882.2 K t, with the largest increase of 19.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of cheese and curd to Northern Europe were not concentrated on a few key markets. Germany (17.1% of imports in kind), France (11.8% of imports in kind), and the Netherlands (9.9% of imports in kind) together accounted for only 38.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe imported approximately 4 223 M $ US of cheese and curd in 2020, up by 1.3% over the past year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 255 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 10.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 2.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the portfolio of suppliers for cheese and curd to Northern Europe was broad. Germany (13.4% of imports in value terms), France (11.3% of imports in value terms), and Italy (11.1% of imports in value terms) together contributed only 35.8% of total imports in value terms, while many other countries held smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

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