Cheese and curd market in Oman

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Omani cheese and curd market was heavily reliant on imports, with domestic production constrained by a lack of large-scale processing facilities despite a strong dairy industry. This resulted in a market volume of 28 025 t, where imports accounted for the majority. Over the following years, local output expanded notably, jumping by 60% to 10 334 t in 2020, but the overall market size fell to 27 363 t as exports surged sharply.

The market recovered in 2021, reaching 33 473 t, supported by a substantial rise in imports to 39 020 t. Growth continued in 2022, with the market volume increasing by 9.5% to 36 669 t, directly linked to higher household expenditure on food, which accounted for 24% of family budgets and boosted dairy and cheese consumption. However, in 2023 the market contracted to 34 411 t as imports declined while production held steady.

Throughout the period, imports remained a key supply source, fluctuating from 22 219 t in 2018 to 39 593 t in 2024, while exports showed volatility, peaking at 15 536 t in 2021. Overall, the market volume grew by 23% from 2018 to 2023, reflecting a combination of rising domestic output and shifts in consumer spending patterns.

Production cheese and curd in Oman

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

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

Oman's cheese and curd production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 10 334 tons, marking a significant 60.0% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 59%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.7%. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 6 426 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Oman in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cheese and curd from Oman

Exports in kind, t

The export market for cheese and curd from Oman showed considerable fluctuations during this period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 405 tons, but then surged dramatically to 7 709 tons in 2020—an increase of 1,804.1% year-over-year. This swing created a 19-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 41.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Yemen was the dominant destination for Oman's cheese and curd exports, accounting for 76.9% of the total volume. The remaining exports were distributed among several smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values in monetary terms also experienced volatility. In 2019, they reached their minimum at 1 018 thousand US dollars, but rebounded to 4 839 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 375.5% increase compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2017, creating a 4.8-fold difference with the 2019 low. The most significant decline happened in 2018, falling by 61.4%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Qatar and Yemen together represented 91.0% of Oman's total cheese and curd export value. Other countries contributed to a more diversified but smaller share of the exports.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Oman

Imports in kind, t

Oman's imports of cheese and curd have increased for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports totaled 24 738 tons, up 7.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 span, imports grew by 10.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 22 219 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 0.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Denmark were the primary sources for Oman's cheese and curd imports by volume. The UAE accounted for 47.7%, Saudi Arabia for 20.2%, and Denmark for 9.5%, together making up 77.3% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Oman's cheese and curd imports reached 89 597 thousand US dollars, a 2.9% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values rose by 5.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 94 714 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 11.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 8.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Denmark consistently led as the main sources for Oman's cheese and curd imports by value. The UAE contributed 45.4%, Saudi Arabia 22.6%, and Denmark 8.3%, collectively accounting for 76.3% of total import value.

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

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